Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is about putting the human in human resources. Staff costs for many employers comprise up to 50 percent of the total office expense. This fact alone should prove the importance of hiring excellent people and having excellent processes to hire them.

The GNWT has difficulty attracting qualified people. The application process needs to be a little more humane. Perhaps there is something inherent in our hiring practice that shuts certain people out. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business indicates that labour market statistics show that pockets of the labour force are being underemployed in underutilized areas that are relevant to their training and experience. Statistical studies show that main groups in areas of women, visible minorities, people with disabilities and aboriginals are being targeted. The last two groups are categories of particular concern. Less than half of those people with disabilities who are willing and able to be employed are for aboriginal people. Unemployment is over 33 percent across this country. We need to alter negative trends. That requires educational opportunities and various other strategies from different departments. This includes Human Resources. Maybe the GNWT Human Resources needs to consider some fresh new ideas. Let's be innovative. Let's go back to the days when we acknowledged a receipt of someone's resume. Let's send them a letter to say, hey, we got it. It is in the mix. Mr. Speaker, by putting little steps in the vat, people feel like they are not sending their resume into the abyss hoping for luck that week. What about posting some sample resumes on our web site to let people know what we are looking for and demonstrate this in writing? It is difficult to write a resume to an application when you are a little nervous doing this. Mr. Speaker, we can expand the interview process by giving some details. It is very daunting when you walk into a room and you are sat down in front of three people

you may have never met and then all of a sudden forced to answer questions. It is a bit of a scary process.

Mr. Speaker, equivalencies are often a complaint we hear in the MLA's office where there is sometimes confusion on how they are truly demonstrated. Mr. Speaker, I explained all of this about trying to take away our conveyer belt method of hiring people. It is just about, again, putting the human side to the human resources again. As we all know, the GNWT is no longer the employer of choice. So let's start moving in the 21st century to show that we are progressive and professional. Let's start trying to attract those people.

Mr. Speaker, all of these suggestions are just ideas. I am hoping to get some good responses from the Minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause