A committee of regular MLAs has asked for residents to provide their feedback on the NWT government’s proposed Indigenous Employment Policy.
The policy, set to come into effect at the start of April, prioritizes the hiring of Indigenous people but removes any prioritization for non-Indigenous northerners, women and people with disabilities.
The GNWT says the old affirmative action policy, which prioritized numerous groups including all of those listed above, was not fit for purpose.
The proportion of Indigenous employees at the territorial government has been gradually falling for years and sits at 28.7 percent, a record low in a territory where nearly half of the residents are Indigenous.
Listen: Will the GNWT’s new Indigenous Employment Policy work?
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Caroline Wawzonek, the minister responsible for the policy, told Cabin Radio in December: “Most other jurisdictions long ago moved away from this concept of affirmative action and into looking at diversity and inclusion efforts and frameworks, as well as some priority hiring. So Yukon, for instance, has moved to something much more similar to what we’re proposing here.”
Now, the Standing Committee on Government Operations – a group of regular MLAs chaired by Frame Lake’s Julian Morse – says it wants the public to provide input on the proposed changes.
To send your feedback, email it to the committee by Saturday, February 15. “Please note that submissions received are treated as public documents,” the committee added.
More: Basics about the proposed policy
Multiple regular MLAs have already voiced concerns about the policy.
Wawzonek, though, has said it will “help ensure opportunities for Indigenous employees to grow, thrive and take on leadership roles within the public service.”
