Inuvik-Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers has a burning question he wants answered. WhereSA国际影视传媒檚 the regional director?

He raised the issue on the first day of the legislative assembly sitting on Feb. 6, questioning why the Beaufort Delta position has been vacant since summer of 2020.

SA国际影视传媒淭his government can only be successful when elected politicians are available to the people we serve,SA国际影视传媒� he said in his memberSA国际影视传媒檚 statement. SA国际影视传媒淭his means we must be present in the community. It means we must listen to the concerns that our communities raise. This means we must act at all times with the best interests of our communities in mind. The people elected us and to the people we must be accountable.

SA国际影视传媒淭he same can be said for our senior government staff. Residents need appropriately staffed regional offices where issues can be brought forward and addressed. It is not enough to have willing politicians SA国际影视传媒� the staff must be present in the community. The regional director position in Inuvik has been vacant since the summer of 2020. This position was designed to ensure the government was accountable to the people, the businesses and the communities of the Beaufort Delta.

SA国际影视传媒淭he regional director position served a key function. They were a liaison for all government departments and a crucial linchpin between the GNWT and Indigenous governments. The regional director was able to ensure that local Indigenous leadership and Indigenous senior staff had a community member to go to in order to exchange ideas and take action to address important issues that affect us all.SA国际影视传媒�

Rodgers added that the Beaufort Delta is the farthest centre from the NWT capital and has unique needs. He said heSA国际影视传媒檚 heard many concerns over the years of government staff positions migrating to Yellowknife and he called on the 20th assembly to reverse the trend.

During question period, Rodgers asked Premier R.J. Simpson why the position hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been filled in nearly four years.

Simpson said it was a previous government decision that he was not privy to, but expressed that heSA国际影视传媒檚 supportive of moving government jobs to regional offices.

SA国际影视传媒淎s Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I know I put a lot of jobs in Inuvik so, yes, ISA国际影视传媒檓 a big supporter of positions in communities and in the regions,SA国际影视传媒� the premier said, noting heSA国际影视传媒檚 also heard Inuvik Twin-Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler raise the same issue.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is definitely on my radar and something that I have initiated discussions with the department about,SA国际影视传媒� said Simpson.

When Rodgers pressed for a timeline or a commitment to examine senior leadership positions in the region overall, Simpson declined, noting the assembly had yet to set its priorities for the 20th Legislative Assembly.

Until then, he said he didnSA国际影视传媒檛 want to task staff with too much work.

SA国际影视传媒淥nce we get those priorities in, then weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to have the opportunity to do that work and we will be looking at positions all across the North SA国际影视传媒� funded positions, unfunded positions, vacant positions, filled positions,SA国际影视传媒� Simpson said. SA国际影视传媒淲e really want a good overview of the positions that we have and how theySA国际影视传媒檙e working and how theySA国际影视传媒檙e supporting the regions.SA国际影视传媒�