Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a concern. There has been talk of many back-room discussions by this government and residents of the NWT for as long as it has existed. Mr. Speaker, the affirmative action policy itself and the issues surrounding the affirmative action policy that this government implemented nearly 20 years ago have gone full circle and then some. I feel it has to be addressed by our government about its merit today.

The affirmative action policy as it stands today carries very little weight in this government's recruiting practices or in the recruiting practices of our northern industry, for that matter. Mr. Speaker, I'm not advocating for tighter measures and practices to ensure this policy is strictly adhered to by our hiring committees, but I do want to emphasize the need for a full review of this old policy by this government so we can put many issues surrounding the merit and intent of this policy to rest.

Although the initial intent of the affirmative action policy has contributed to a more meaningful representation by this government for the residents of the Northwest Territories since being implemented in 1986, it seems to have reached the end of its useful life and it's now starting to become counterproductive in nature to the original intent. Mr. Speaker, I think it is time to re-evaluate where we're going with our goal of equal public service representation and look at more innovative measures of fairness and equality in our hiring processes to ensure our residents that we can treat everybody with respect and dignity when being considered for employment by this government. Colour, sex, race or place of birth cannot be the determining factors in which careers to pursue in our public service by our residents. To me, Mr. Speaker, this is the direction many northerners are headed toward because of this outdated hiring policy if it is left as is.

Therefore, we as a government have to act and develop a plan to address the policy and a directive which is not unreasonable and sends a message to our youth, who many will soon become casualties of this policy while others who are deemed as disadvantaged will be left with feelings of apathy towards career opportunities put before them.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, for the kids' sake let's take some positive action and reassess this affirmative action policy so we can all learn of better ways in which to work with each other and make more meaningful, productive choices which, in turn, will make better role models for our children to follow. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause