Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS the affirmative action policy was established in the late 1980's;

AND WHEREAS the affirmative action policy was intended to support northern employment by creating and strengthening opportunities for northern Indigenous people;

AND WHEREAS the affirmative action policy was also intended to support and recognize long-term commitments of non-Indigenous peoples;

AND WHEREAS the affirmative action policy was intended to support women and persons with disabilities;

AND WHEREAS the affirmative action policy is a policy and requires periodic evaluation and updating from time to time;

AND WHEREAS the Indigenous employment policy has had a number of concerns highlighted by committees of this Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Indigenous employment policy has received enormous negative feedback from the public;

AND WHEREAS the Indigenous employment policy has not been received by the public in a positive way;

AND WHEREAS, more than one committee has requested that the government not proceed with the Indigenous employment policy or, at the very least, to pause this policy until a clear consensus of Members has been reached;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Range Lake, that this Legislative Assembly calls upon the Government of the Northwest Territories to immediately halt any further advancement and implementation of the new Indigenous employment policy, also known as the IEP, and return to using the affirmative action policy without delay as the primary hiring guidelines of the Government of the Northwest Territories;

AND FURTHER, that the Minister of Finance engage with the Standing Committee on Government Operations, prior to any further changes to the Government of the Northwest Territories' hiring policy, to discuss and seek guidance that can improve the affirmative action policy which ultimately strengthens the Government of the Northwest Territories' hiring practices with the intent that supports northern Indigenous, long-term Northerners, women, persons with disabilities, as well as other marginalized communities;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this motion within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.