Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today concerns affirmative action. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories identifies three groups of people for preference in employment, training and promotion under the Affirmative Action Policy. Aboriginal persons are priority one.
Mr. Speaker, the current Affirmative Action Policy was implemented in 1989 when it replaced the Northern Hiring Policy. Yet today, 11 years later, the aboriginal people occupy only 15 percent of the management positions and overall 31 percent. Since 1991, there has been only a two percent increase in aboriginal representation within the Government of the Northwest Territories' workforce.
When the decision was made to dissolve the Department of Personnel, the onus was placed on each department to achieve results. This did not seem to work as we have only seen minimal results to-date.
Mr. Speaker, as a Member representing a riding of mostly aboriginal people, this is of great concern to me. It seems this government would like us to believe that there are few qualified aboriginals out there and there is stiff competition from diamond and oil companies. I also hear that there are very few Northerners with proper credentials. I cannot accept those arguments. I personally know of many people here in Yellowknife and in the communities with degrees and college diplomas who cannot get jobs in the GNWT.
Mr. Speaker, when we look at the results of the Affirmative Action Policy, we all have to agree that it has not done what it was supposed to. Is it because the program is not being implemented properly? Is it because there is no one department overseeing this program? Mr. Speaker, there are probably many reasons why this program is not working. However, I do not believe that the policy in itself is the problem.
This government has to take a serious look at the barriers to allowing this program to work. We also have to look at ways to complement this program. In other jurisdictions, they have actively gone out and selected individuals for management positions. By targeting individuals to take job training and instruction, they have helped them move into management positions. These may be possible solutions.
In any case, Mr. Speaker, improvement in the area of increasing the representation of target groups in the public service is something that cannot come soon enough. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause