Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Towards a Better Tomorrow, the vision document of this Assembly, acknowledges the key role and the value of human resources in the Northwest Territories in the development of this new Territory as we seek to realize the potential of our great land.
For the Government of the Northwest Territories, our direct instrument in carrying out our policies and projects, implementing laws and regulations, is the public service of the Northwest Territories.
There are some 3,000 government positions representing more than seven percent of the population of public policy for our government. In reviewing Towards a Better Tomorrow, I believe a higher profile, greater credibility and recognition should be attached to the role of the public service.
As a result of the division of the Territories, the government's position of severe financial restraint in the past few years, decentralization and increased expectations of the public and politicians, has resulted in dramatic and often unsettling impacts on the public service.
The Auditor General of Canada has recently observed on the negative impact of the loss of senior, long-term public servants in the federal government. Closer to home, the Northwest Territories public service has suffered similar losses of senior, long-term management employees, eroding our corporate memory and contributing to further instability and decreased productivity. The ever-present uncertainty of job cuts as a result of the need to find additional budget reductions by departments is causing a further decline in morale and productivity.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the Northwest Territories offers exciting new employment opportunities in the private and aboriginal organization sectors. This further adds to the difficulty for our public service to attract qualified and experienced employees. The southern employment situation with expanding economies will see further difficulty for us in attracting much-needed health care and other qualified professionals to our Territory. There are a number of aspects of the public service which are of concern to me. Principally, I lend my support to the concept of a Public Service Commission or labour relations board.
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the tremendous support and dedication, Mr. Speaker, of the public service of this government to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
-- Applause