Robert Villeneuve

I want to ask the Minister, when people are applying for this MAP, how can he be sure that they are going to get a fair assessment and a fair hearing and a fair interview with the people that are carrying out the program? Thank you.

I just want to ask the Minister what reassurances can he give aboriginal government employees that their experience, and in some cases lack of education, is not going to be the only determining factor in their advancement in management positions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess just with respect to the committee that hasn’t been in operation for some time, I guess, that could be one of the reasons leading up to the demise of the whole affirmative action policy in the government. I think it’s because this committee hasn’t been established, it hasn’t had any input, it hasn’t had any feedback, and it was set up as a monitoring system for the affirmative action policy and that hasn’t happened and it hasn’t panned out to what people have expected it to pan out to be. I guess the new name the Minister was referring to with the new...

Thank you. Just a quick question on the Aboriginal Achievement Awards. It doesn’t look like there are any estimates for 2005-06. Maybe the Premier could just make some clarification on that one.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today is International Women’s Day. I rise to recognize the progress and advancement of women in society, specifically in achievement by a female constituent of mine. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Jeannette Mandeville was born and raised in Deninu Kue. Although she currently lives in Hay River with her husband Roger, she still has a strong connection and attachment to the community of Deninu Kue. A well-rounded individual with an educational background on native studies and social work, she has also enjoyed being outdoors fishing and boating, just to name a few of her interests.

On...

No, that’s fine with me. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a question on the question of the independence of the staffing review officers. I guess I am understanding that they are going to be government employees. I don’t know how arm's length they are going to be from the government, because they are going to be ministerial appointments, I guess. How is the Department of Finance going to ensure that the staffing review officers are totally independent, unbiased and objective when it comes to reviewing any kind of staffing appeals process? What kind of reassurance can the public get to just having any confidence...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is good to know that people will not have to phone or write Yellowknife in order to get their appeal heard or considered for review. Earlier, we were talking about some of the inquiries we get with respect to hiring practices by the government…you know, aboriginal people that are applying for government positions are being screened because the affirmative action policy is something that is kind of not strictly adhered to nowadays. Is an appeal legitimate, based on a concern by an employee who is not given an opportunity for a position, because of the lack of...

How is this MAP supposed to improve the aboriginal representation in management when there are no aboriginals in it?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for acknowledging that they do recognize that there is a problem with that policy and there’s a problem with implementation of the policy and that’s been happening for the last 10 years that this policy has been in place. I guess I just wanted to -- going back to the people in the MAP-- this MAP is a Management Assignment Program and management in this government…