Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I could do a Member’s statement to the Minister’s reference to self-identification, so I guess I don’t have time for that right now.

I’d like to know from the Minister, though, I don’t think I heard in any of his answers that there will be any valuation of the priority list, that there will be a look at those two priority lists to, one, bring them together so that they actually match and people are listed in the same priority for each of them and to possibly change the priorities of various people within the Affirmative Action Policy. Is that possible? Thank you.

I’m not quite sure; the Minister said an affirmative action plan. I don’t know if he meant plan or policy, but if there is a review going on, how encompassing is this review, what are the terms of reference of this review and when might we expect it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unknown to many of us, I imagine, is the fact that today has been declared Recreation Leaders Day. Our very own NWT Recreation and Parks Association is highlighting the contribution of recreation leaders in our Territory by declaring October 26th as Recreation Leaders Day.

Members of this House often speak of the importance and the need for programs and activities for our youth. They also give tribute to those residents in our communities who step up and provide the necessary programs and activities for our youth and for all residents of our communities.

Recreation...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. I’m glad to hear that the Minister is willing to look at the program. I’m also aghast that the department would consider using minimum wage as an appropriate wage for summer students; that’s not even the $10 an hour that we’re hoping we can get it ramped up to. So I hope that’s not going to happen.

This government has just eliminated a possible funding opportunity for students by cutting the Student Financial Assistance scholarship program. That was one opportunity that students had to add to their summer student dollar that they were accumulating...

I guess to the Minister that I didn’t really hear an answer that that process is fair and transparent. As each department is operating on their own, as I suggested, it doesn’t really lead to any sort of consistency.

The Minister has advised me in previous communications, and I’m glad to hear that the Affirmative Action Policy does apply to the hiring of summer students, but it’s also my understanding that no one oversees the results of that hiring. We need to have a more accountable selection process where a P1 or a P2 is going to be guaranteed their priority in the summer student hiring...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like most Members of this House, I’ve received calls and e-mails from constituents who are concerned about the selection process used by the GNWT in the hiring of summer students. In my two years here, I’ve heard many times about the importance of our people, our residents, our children to this Territory. If this government is serious about our commitment to Northwest Territories students and we really do want them to return to the NWT to work, that we really do value them as NWT born and bred, then the Department of Human Resources must develop a better process to...

That really didn’t give me the answer that I was looking for, but I guess I would have to hope that the Minister would provide me with the results of the overseeing as it goes on.

As I mentioned in my statement, I suggest that we need to revise the wages that students are paid. They’re currently paid about $26 an hour, which is wonderful if they actually have one of our precious and coveted GNWT jobs, but it’s not so great for those that don’t. So I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider setting a specific wage for summer students, something closer to $20 an hour or $18 an hour, so...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker My questions today are addressed to the Minister for the Department of Human Resources. I mentioned in my statement that I feel there is an inconsistent hiring process; that there is some favouritism shown in some instances, and that the department needs to look at the process. I’d like to ask the Minister right now if he could explain to this House how the current hiring process can be said to be fair and transparent. Thank you.

I appreciate where the Minister is coming from. I realize that there is a budget process that has to be gone through. I am hoping that we will get some certainty on funding to at least start 911. It’s been said many times: Presumably our government is all about partnerships. Even today our Premier has stated a strong and independent North is going to have to be built on partnerships. So I’d like to know whether or not MACA is willing to consider a partnership with the City of Yellowknife to start the much needed implementation of 911 service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and, as I mentioned in my statement, the Government of the Northwest Territories was a full participating member on the City of Yellowknife’s 911 Management Committee. Given our government’s participation on that management committee, I would like to ask the Minister to articulate the government’s position regarding the need and urgency for 911 service in the NWT.