The GNWT is set to introduce a new policy that seeks to promote the recruitment, retention and career advancement of Indigenous Canadians. 

The new Indigenous Employment Policy (IEP) was announced during a Dec. 17 press conference. It will replace the existing Affirmative Action Policy on April 1 of the new year. The outgoing strategy has been in effect since 1989. 

The new approach is a response to the high rate of unemployment among Indigenous people in the NWT, which sits at about 14 per cent compared to 1.3 per cent for non-Indigenous people. It also aims to correct the low rate of Indigenous employees in the GNWT, which has been sitting around 29 per cent since the Affirmative Action Policy was introduced some 35 years ago. 

The new guidelines were developed following a period of extensive engagement with Indigenous governments, members of the public, municipalities, unions, and the Indigenous Employee Advisory Commission. The engagement process also included an online survey with 550 respondents. 

The most notable change between the existing policy and the incoming IEP is that the new strategy will apply to all Indigenous Canadians. 

"We are working to create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous employees to grow and succeed," said Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek. "This policy represents our commitment to real change and to building a stronger, more inclusive government for all Northerners.SA国际影视传媒�

Posting on social media, Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart criticized the decision to do away with the Affirmative Action Policy, and expressed concern that the new IEP will lead to more Indigenous people from southern Canada getting jobs, rather than Indigenous people from the NWT specifically.

"The new Indigenous Employment Strategy only gives priority hiring to Indigenous applicants regardless if they're from the NWT or southern Canada," he said. "This move is opposed by the Standing Committee on Government Operations and many members of the House, but the minister is doing it anyway and doesn't want to work with MLAs to find another way to improve hiring numbers of Indigenous workers in the public service.

"Hiring a bunch of Indigenous southerners instead of non-Indigenous southerners isn't going to solve our problem."

In response to Testart's criticism, Wawzonek called the hiring of more Indigenous people SA国际影视传媒� even people from southern Canada SA国际影视传媒� "a good problem to have." She also contended that there are "lots of examples of people who are Indigenous Canadians and long-term NorthernersSA国际影视传媒� who would not be eligible under the outgoing policy, such as some Indigenous Nunavummiut. 

The new IEP will also support "mentorship programs and leadership training," according to Wawzonek. 

When asked for examples of the kinds of programs and training that will be introduced through the IEP, deputy Finance minister William MacKay noted the GNWT will be "starting off fairly small," likely by pairing "five or six" Indigenous employees with mentors. 

During the press conference, MacKay also noted that the IEP will be reviewed after three years to "determine whether policy is having the effect we hope it will.

"Otherwise we can make some changes," he said.