Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have made several statements in this House about the Affirmative Action Policy and how it is not working as it should to help Indigenous people be employed by the Government of the Northwest Territories. Lately, however, I've realized the issues within the Human Resources Department go much deeper than just the Affirmative Action Policy. I'm seeing now that there are several structural issues around hiring in general that is impeding all people from attaining employment with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, last week I heard from many constituents with concerns around employment hiring within the Government of the Northwest Territories. It seems more and more that barriers are being put in place not only for Priority One individuals but for all applicants to the Government of the Northwest Territories positions. For example, two people spoke about two different issues, and both situations were identical. The government put out a job description, the constituents applied, some time passed, and the job was suddenly cancelled. The person called human resources and was told no one with proper qualifications had applied, thus the competition was cancelled. Then a new job was re-posted with identical descriptions and qualifications. I believe this was done to indirectly screen them out of competition in order to avoid screening them out officially on the record.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I attended a public meeting last week on the Special Committee on Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs. There was something said by the guest speaker which resonated with me. The speaker was a Metis lawyer who teaches law at the University of Manitoba, named Professor Brenda Gunn. She said, government employees need training and clear direction from Ministers, deputy Ministers, and assistant deputy ministers. Mr. Speaker, I seek a unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted