Denny Rodgers

So I assume, then, that the same position as the position is ready to be advertised and we'll soon have a new regional director up there?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. Direct appointments, Mr. Speaker, are a tool that the GNWT can and does often use to place employees in the positions without running public competitions. Can the Minister provide the number of direct appointments in the GNWT over the last fiscal year and which of those were Indigenous? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister mentioned the Indigenous Retention Recruitment Framework. Can the Minister say how this framework is being monitored and the success of the departments to implement the employment plans are being monitored as well? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about Indigenous employees in the GNWT. It's a topic that has been raised numerous times in this House, Mr. Speaker. The public service is the largest employer in the Northwest Territories, whether it's federal, territorial, or municipal community government. The public service is present in every community and employs the majority of NWT residents.

And, Mr. Speaker, we know the GNWT has grown over the years. The latest labour force activity reports show a total public service in the NWT grew by 500 over the past year. But, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's important to note that this is going to second reading. It's important to note that, you know, we have committees that do important work. I think, you know, in this case I think there's enough information required, no matter what your opinion is or what -- how if you think that, you know, the bill is appropriate, if you think that the existing system is working better, I know there are concerns. I have concerns whether or not how it's going to affect the mineral industry. The mineral industry right now, as my colleague has said, has based their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when developing the mandate and reviewing it, then am I to assume that the position may or not be filled, or is the position going to be filled?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given my theme this week is employment, and I likely sound like a broken record to the Premier on this issue, but I'm glad to see that a regional director of finance has been hired in Inuvik. My question is to the Premier on where we are with the department on the regional director for infrastructure -- sorry, regional director for the executive in Inuvik. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And certainly good to hear that there are targets being set. I know the last Assembly was clear that departments were to set targets, and GNWT were to set targets. Can the Minister tell me what those targets are, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress. No, no, no, not yet sorry if I did that out. Apologies. Apologies. Apologies. Withdraw, withdraw, withdraw. Apologies, I thought I did the committee motion outside of Mr. Chair, apologies.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And just a comment, perhaps it's time that the department as a government, we look at moving MTS to Inuvik or Tuktoyaktuk where perhaps that loss can turn into a profit. Thank you.