Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Members had taken up a line of questioning yesterday, as the Speaker is aware, about how this government is not, in fact, meeting the expectations of the Members in the area of hiring, particularly aboriginal people, northern people and women, in the civil service. The intentions of my remarks were to say that there is, in fact, clearly demonstrated by the Member's dissatisfaction with us and the previous government, no concrete way by which we can compel the people who do the hiring, recruiting and retaining of staff to meet certain targets.
We have a policy. This government is interested in looking at ways in which we can increase a number of aboriginal people, particularly in management, the same of increasing northern people and women in the area of management and overall as a percentage in the government.
It is uncertain for us, as a government, as to how we can best proceed. There is absolutely no disagreement on this side, that we should do something about it, but it is not clear to us the best way to proceed.
I indicated to the Members clearly yesterday that if this is a priority, why I did not hear about it in clear, articulate terms in the development of the document and workshop in Fort Providence earlier this year.
If it is a priority now then we are prepared to work at it, but Cabinet had abstained from the motion because it is giving specific direction. I had said that we would work on it over the summer and try to come up with a number of options for the Members to consider in the Caucus meeting or workshop that is slated for September, and that is still the commitment. Thank you.