Agreed. We will go to page 235, labour relations, operations expenditures, $3.291 million. Questions?

Agreed. Page 236, Human Resources, labour relations, active positions, information item. Questions?

Agreed. Page 239, Human Resources, recruitment services, operations expenditure summary, $4.393 million. Questions? Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of questions. The first one has to do with direct appointments and I think there was some discussion about direct appointments earlier. My understanding is that we have changed how we are using direct appointments recently. I would like to

know from the Minister if he could explain what that change is and why. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There has been no change to the Direct Appointment Policy.

Okay. I am not quite sure how to get around that one, but I will ask a different question. This department, I presume, is involved in the issue of decentralization, a policy that this government has put in place in the last couple of years. I would like to know how the Department of HR is involved in the decentralization process. Thank you.

The department supports the other departments by trying to increase and implement opportunities in the decentralized positions. We work with the departments to attract and develop a labour market where it is needed, where we are decentralizing positions. We work with them to recruit those positions. We work with the departments in trying to develop excellent terms of employment to retain those jobs and we ensure that the division that is in the 17th Assembly is

something that we try to reduce results by making sure that whenever there is a decentralized position identified by the departments in the overall government when we identify positions, then as Human Resources, we support the departments to recruit for those positions.

If I heard the Minister correctly, a position has been identified by another department and the Department of HR then assists in recruiting for the position that has been decentralized to another community. That suggests to me that these are unfilled positions that are being transferred. Is that correct?

It’s kind of an interesting comment. An unfilled position would be the only reason that we would be trying to fill it.

To the Minister, then, maybe unfilled is the wrong term. What is the policy for decentralization? Do we decentralize positions without somebody in them? When the PY is moved from one community to the next, does the person not go with it? That’s why I’m asking if it’s a vacant position, or if it’s a new position that would then suggest to me that it needs to be filled. What is the policy for decentralization?

The details on position of decentralized positions can be best answered by the Premier.

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When positions are identified for decentralization, obviously we would prefer if the incumbents, if there

are incumbents, would go with the position. The most recent examples where we’ve identified decentralized positions, the incumbents have chosen not to move with the position. HR, we have a policy that those incumbents that are in positions to be decentralized become part of the priority hiring list so that they can be matched up for jobs, and the decentralized position, if they’re vacant then HR helps with the recruitment on the other side when the decentralized job is moved into other communities.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we look at moving positions, decentralizing positions, is there any consideration given to whether or not that position is vacant or new? Is there any consideration given to the impact on an employee who was told that their job is moving?

It’s a program decision. It’s not based on whether a position is filled or vacant. It’s what’s in the best interests of fulfilling this decentralization priority of this government.

I guess I would suggest that it sounds as though what’s in the best interests of a policy is going to be followed through, never mind the best interests of the employee and/or their families, and I have a problem with that.

Last question has to do with the length of time for us to complete competitions. I believe that the department has an eight week target length of time to complete competitions. I’d like to know from the Minister whether or not they have been improving on the length of time to complete competitions in the last year or if they have actually had an increase in the length of time to fill competitions.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to have the deputy minister respond to the question.

Thank you, Minister Beaulieu. Deputy minister.