Since the lifting of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in April, the territorial government still has 11 employees residing outside of the NWT.
Matthew Mallon, GNWT senior communications officer with Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, didnSA国际影视传媒檛 deny that the recently departed cabinet communications adviser was living in Edmonton and had been since starting the job in 2019, up until stepping away in January.
Mallon said out-of-territory work is only considered for employees in rare and exceptional circumstances. He provided a couple of examples, such as an employee who must travel outside the NWT to provide emotional support to someone undergoing medical treatment, and someone who is able to work remotely due to the nature of their position. With technology and virtual communication, there is rarely a requirement for employees to commute to the NWT, which saves on costs, he added.
The territorial government is recruiting a new senior communications officer for cabinet on SA国际影视传媒渁 merit-based hiring process in adherence to GNWT policies, practices, and its commitments under collective agreements,SA国际影视传媒� according to Mallon.
Great Slave MLA Katrina Nokleby became aware of the former cabinet communications adviserSA国际影视传媒檚 out-of-territory living arrangements during the fall of 2020. Prior to it being brought to her attention at that time, she said she was surprised sheSA国际影视传媒檇 never heard of the individualSA国际影视传媒檚 name, even though Nokleby was previously a member of cabinet herself.
Although there was a competition to fill the position in late 2020 or early 2021, the premier stated that the incumbent in Edmonton would retain the job due to a lack of suitable applicants from the North, according to Nokleby.
SA国际影视传媒淚 knew this not to be true as the person who notified me about the situation had been trying to get a GNWT (communications) job to no avail SA国际影视传媒� and (the individual) was suitable and living in the North,SA国际影视传媒� she stated. SA国际影视传媒淚 also know several others in this field who ISA国际影视传媒檓 sure would have loved to have such a prestigious job. ISA国际影视传媒檓 unaware if there was ever a job posting for the position or not.SA国际影视传媒�
Nokleby also mentioned that the position was converted to casual employment status at some point.
Mallon stated that the GNWT Remote Work Policy does not SA国际影视传媒減rovide a pathway for employees to leave the GNWT.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淩ather it is one of many policies, programs, and initiatives that the GNWT has developed to recruit, retain, and develop members of the public service,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭here is no SA国际影视传媒榩athwaySA国际影视传媒� to GNWT employees working outside the NWT and the Remote Work Policy is entirely unrelated to the choice of some individuals becoming independent contractors.SA国际影视传媒�
When Yellowknifer asked further questions about the reclassification of the cabinet communications adviser position to casual status in the past, Amy Kennedy, the director of GNWT communications, replied, SA国际影视传媒淪taffing decisions are made at an operational level and are not political decisions. However, the Government of the Northwest Territories does not disclose confidential information related to our employeesSA国际影视传媒� status, including any specific details about their employment arrangements. We take our obligations to protect the privacy of our employees seriously. As such, we cannot comment on the personal or professional circumstances of any specific individual.SA国际影视传媒�
Yellowknifer invited the Union of Northern Workers to comment, but a spokesperson said the union has nothing to say about this situation.
