Prayer ---Prayer SPEAKER (Hon. Jackie Jacobson): Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Abernethy. Ministers’ Statements

Prayer

Ministers’ Statements

MINISTER’S STATEMENT 15-17(3):
PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Established in March 2010, the GNWT Advisory Committee on Employability provides advice on how government can promote, support and increase the participation of persons with disabilities. Working closely with this committee, the Department of Human Resources has developed a draft framework to guide efforts to promote the territorial public service as a place that welcomes people with disabilities and ensures that our workplace remains inclusive and accessible.

To support this work, the Department of Human Resources recently surveyed government employees on issues and attitudes related to employees with disabilities. The survey results are currently being tabulated and we expect to receive them by the end of June. The results of the survey will provide us with more accurate baseline statistics and correct a long-standing gap in our data.

Ten disability awareness training sessions for employees were held throughout the Northwest Territories this spring, including five in regional centres. Ninety participants took part in these sessions and the feedback has been very positive. The department may offer more sessions in the

future if employees continue to indicate a need for this training.

The Department of Human Resources is also rolling out a poster campaign to be displayed in government workplaces across the territory to promote disability awareness and inclusion. The posters highlight information on various types of disability, challenging people with the slogans “See the Abilities,” and “Look Beyond Disability.” These posters also provide information about the GNWT Advisory Committee on Employability and highlight the message that the GNWT is an inclusive workplace open to all people, providing choices and opportunities to people from all communities.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to facilitating an equitable and inclusive hiring process. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to identify any accommodations they need to eliminate barriers in a job competition. A diversity officer is available to provide support and advice to prospective employees throughout this process.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by referencing the powerful statement delivered by Mr. Cornelius Van Dyke during the last Elders Parliament. Mr. Van Dyke spoke about a barrier-free and inclusive society, the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and the measures that government can take to eliminate systemic barriers. In the words of Mr. Van Dyke, “when one of us is diminished, it diminishes all of us.”

The Government of the Northwest Territories shares Mr. Van Dyke’s vision. We remain committed to eliminating systemic barriers to employment and ensuring that our territorial public service is an inclusive employer open to all and representative of the population we serve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

MINISTER’S STATEMENT 16-17(3):
UPDATE ON CREATING
A NEW WILDLIFE ACT

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to provide additional input into the proposed new Wildlife Act, ENR is continuing a robust public engagement and consultation process. To date, the following steps have been initiated:

• 
  Community and regional public events and open houses are being hosted across the territory to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to get information on the proposed act, ask questions and provide comments.
  
• 
  A meeting with Aboriginal government leaders has been set for June 19, 2012.
  
• 
  Public information materials, including a plain language version of the draft Wildlife Act, fact sheets, posters and frequently asked questions have been widely distributed and posted on the Internet.
  
• 
  A dedicated website, nwtwildlifeact.ca, has been created to ensure that all public information materials and event schedules are easily accessible on-line.
  
• 
  A Stakeholder’s Wildlife Act Advisory Group has been established with representatives from industry, tourism, outfitters and resident hunters to allow these stakeholders an opportunity to review the proposed act in detail and provide recommendations.
  

Mr. Speaker, with this feedback, it is hoped we can introduce a new Wildlife Act during the upcoming fall session.

A new Wildlife Act with broad understanding and support will ensure wildlife is conserved for the benefit of all people in the NWT. I look forward to ongoing collaboration and cooperation between everyone involved.

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Ramsay.