Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk today about what I perceive is a need for a Public Service Commission in the GNWT. I recently had a constituent come into my office and talk to me about a situation in which she felt she was not treated fairly in a competition. She was a P1. She had numerous years of management experience with this government. She had been out of the workforce for a year. She sought out a competition just like a job she had done in the past. She did not even make the short list.

She was very upset about this and asked my advice as to what I felt she should do. In clear conscience, I could not suggest that she grieve the situation. I think this was the way she felt as well. She was very worried about the possibility of being blacklisted by the department. The avenue for grievance seemed to be to go back to the very same people who did not include her in the short list. Clearly, this was not a workable situation, Mr. Speaker.

I think other Members in this House have all had similar situations. I think we know it is a real problem. As I was going door to door during the campaign, one of the issues that was raised and one of the suggestions that was made to me by some constituents was to set up a Public Service Commission reporting to the Legislative Assembly, not to the government. It would create a needed distance between politicians and public servants, reinforce hiring on the basis of merit, yet still allow for the diversity that we need here in the North. It would also ensure that government follows its own employment and hiring policy.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we are the only jurisdiction in Canada, except for Nunavut, that does not have a Public Service Commission. The federal government has one. The provinces have one as well. Every time we see a situation like this where we seem to be the only jurisdiction without something, we have to ask ourselves if we are breaking trail or if we are a jurisdiction that does not need to protect its public service. I think the answer is no, Mr. Speaker.

The Public Service Commission for the federal government has a quasi-judicial authority to hear and investigate staffing appeals and is accountable to Parliament, not a Minister. The independence of the PSC from political interference was the driving force for the creation of the PSC. The commission administers the provisions of the Public Service Employment Act, governing the political rights of public servants without fear or reprisal, Mr. Speaker.

At the appropriate time today, I will have questions for the Minister on a Public Service Commission. Thank you.

-- Applause