In the Legislative Assembly on March 29th, 1999. See this topic in context.

Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be for the Premier. Last week, I asked in this House from the Minister of Finance on the issue of equal pay benefits for excluded employees. At that time the Minister stated that he would consult with his Cabinet colleagues to see if they could extend the deadline to consider equal pay settlements for the excluded employees. Mr. Speaker, I have five more letters that I have received from librarians who are lumped in with wildlife officers into one classification code. The Minister explained last week that they would not be receiving benefits, or at least in letters it was explained they would not be receiving benefits, because they are in that classification code.

Now my question for the Premier is, the Minister of Finance agreed to consult his Cabinet colleagues and have some idea by today as to whether the deadline for these employees could be extended for consideration. Could the Minister tell us, the Premier tell us, if that meeting took place and if it will be extended? Thank you.

Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Premier, Mr. Antoine. Two questions were asked.

Return To Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member asked about whether the Minister of Finance consulted us and if he extended the deadline to the excluded employees who were caught in the situation and I would like to respond by saying that this will be the responsibility of the Finance Minister and we will wait until that assignment is done here, hopefully in the next couple of days. We still have until the end of the month to look at this and make any necessary changes if we have to. Thank you.

Return To Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral question. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 157

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It makes it very difficult for people that are out there to get some answer on this. Mr. Speaker, in one of the letters, and I can only paraphrase what I know, and that is that they did not even know or were not even aware of the possibility of being provided with equal pay benefits. I think we have a bit of a situation on our hands that

needs to be addressed. I had hoped that Cabinet would have addressed this issue by now. My question for the Premier is, will he, with all due respect, extend the deadline so there is fair treatment for those people out there who feel they have not been treated fairly in considering equal pay benefits?

Supplementary To Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Question 55-13(7): Pay Equity For Excluded Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

March 28th, 1999

Page 158

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.