Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dent on March 4, 2002, with respect to the distinction between the affirmative action policy and employment equity.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to moving from an affirmative action policy to an employment equity approach. While both affirmative action and employment equity have an end goal of attaining a representative public service, there is a significant difference in the two approaches.

Under affirmative action hiring priority is given to those covered under the policy; indigenous aboriginal people, indigenous non-aboriginal people, disabled people and, for non-traditional and management positions, women. The hiring priority is applied to all competitions regardless of the current representation levels in the region, department or occupation.

Employment equity is based on the philosophy that employers will hire a representative work force because it makes good business and operational sense to do so. This approach will apply not just to hiring, but also to the development and promotion of individuals within the public service. Employment equity consists of specific efforts directed at specific groups of individuals or occupations. This will include programs like succession planning and graduate employment. Thank you. Mr. Speaker.