Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yeah, you know, in the beginning, like I said last year I think in a statement, is that when this policy was first implemented, I think it was targeted towards Indigenous people and they had to add in the P2s I think to get it passed, and after talking to some of the drafters anyway. So I just want to make sure that we get it right.

So, Madam Speaker, will the Minister confirm if there was any consideration given to do away with the affirmative action policy or keep it or replace it with other forms of support or programs such as an Indigenous and northern training and...

I think I need some sick days.

Madam Speaker, many of us understand why the affirmative action policy was first implemented 30 plus years ago, and still we seem unable to reach our target for Indigenous hires. Why is that? Is it because of the education levels? Because of the type of positions available? Because of location of potential Indigenous employees? Because we have a young population not of working age? Is it because we have settled claims and people are working there instead? Is it because of the buddy system that we often hear about? Is it about racism? Is it about hiring the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One issue that I see arises once in a while is the fact that seniors, who have been approved under retrofits and repairs, in communities I guess where like, Hay River's going to be an issue. I'll use that as an example just because the flooding, the amount of work that's going on there. I know there's people looking to have work done this year. They've been approved. And I know the cost when the costs come in, they're probably going to be a lot more than what you think it's going to be and it's going to be over that over the limit. How do you deal with that? Do you top...

Seniors aging in place retrofits and repairs.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One issue I want to bring up, and it's probably under the major repairs, is in Hay River we have an issue, and it may be in other communities as well, where they use wood basements. We have a number in Hay River, I know, that are compromised because of frost. And the repair costs for those are probably a $100,000 plus. And I'm just wondering if there's any programs or if there's any I guess appetite to look for additional money to help those seniors that are facing that, because I know in Hay River there's a few seniors that have issues and continue to have issues with...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. You know, I understand that we have like, we have this policy already in place. We have all these programs in place. And I guess I ask myself why haven't we been able to meet that target? And, you know, I look at one of the areas that I you know, I think that hasn't been mentioned is the lack of accountability of DMs and management. Like, they are the ones there that have to make sure that those policies are being followed. And when I talk to people, I don't think that's happening. But anyways, Madam Speaker, residents are concerned that the notice of meetings in...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I've been getting a number of calls like this lately just because of the meetings that are happening in the communities, and people are very concerned. You know, what we seem to be doing is pitting Indigenous people against Indigenous people and others as well.

So, Madam Speaker, will the Minister confirm the rationale and the criteria used to support the need for this review and potential replacement of the current policy with two distinct policies, being the Indigenous employment policy and employment equity policy, when the whole intent is to increase...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, prior to 1989, this government recognized the inequity with respect to Indigenous representation in the GNWT public sector. In an attempt to address that inequity, the government of the day drafted the affirmative action policy. It was meant to place Indigenous people into public sector workforce. Madam Speaker, thirty plus years later we are still talking affirmative action and saying how it has not worked.

Madam Speaker, this government committed to a review of the affirmative action policy and in doing so set up the advisory committee on diversity and...

Thank you. That was a nice short answer. When we're talking about the hundred new homes, you know, I know there's dollars going to Indigenous groups as well. I know that the housing corporation actually bought the you know, a building here in Yellowknife as well. So how many of those hundred new homes would actually, say, go into Yellowknife versus communities outside? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'm pleased to hear that you say that you recognize they are underfunded. Not only are they underfunded but they don't have any longterm funding as well. And I think if we want to see some success and make sure that we get good value that we extend those terms out with them. And yeah, so that's I guess just more of a comment. So thank you, that's all.