Mr. Speaker, National Public Service Week is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Public Service employees across Canada.  Here in the Northwest Territories, we have an engaged and highly motivated Public Service that provides quality programs and services for our residents.  Our employees’ commitment to service and dedication to their communities are an important part of what makes the GNWT a great place to work and what makes the NWT a great place to live.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 2, 2016) – Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) begins negotiation of a new collective agreement with the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association (NWTTA).

The GNWT’s initial proposals focus on:

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that the Government of the Northwest Territories has, for the fourth year in a row, been chosen as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2016. This recognition by the Globe and Mail and Mediacorp Canada Incorporated distinguishes organizations that strive to include women, Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender peoples in the workplace.

Yellowknife (February 3, 2016) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) concluded their first round of negotiations of a new collective agreement on Friday.

Collective bargaining is the process through which employees, represented by their union, and management in an organization come together and negotiate the terms and conditions of employment. The GNWT and UNW are currently working toward a new collective agreement that will take effect when the current agreement expires on March 31, 2016.

Yellowknife (January 14, 2016) – Chairman of the Financial Management Board Robert C. McLeod announced that the Government of the Northwest Territories began negotiation of a new collective agreement with the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) today.

Mr. Speaker, throughout the term of the 17^th Legislative Assembly and guided by 20/20: A Brilliant North, the NWT Public Service Strategic Plan, this government has made it a priority to ensure that the public service is prepared to meet the needs of Northerners now and in the future.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 8, 2015) – Premier Bob McLeod today announced that Ms. Bronwyn Watters has been named as the new Deputy Minister of Human Resources.

Ms. Watters is a longtime Northerner with a 35-year career in public service. She is a former Deputy Minister of Justice and has previously held senior positions in Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, developing our employees and ensuring the public service is prepared to provide sustainable, quality programs and effective services to our residents in the future are a priority of this government.  In 2009, we started a 10-year journey to develop excellence in the public service through 20/20: A Brilliant North, the NWT Public Service Strategic Plan.  We are mid-way through the implementation of 20/20, and now is a good time to review some of our successes.

YELLOWKNIFE (August 22, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) wishes to express its gratitude to Ms. Sheila Bassi-Kellett for her 25 years of service to the GNWT, and to clarify the circumstances of the departure of Ms. Bassi-Kellett from the public service as of August 1, 2014.

Mr. Speaker, June 15^th to 21^th is National Public Service Week. This year’s theme is “Proudly Serving Canadians”. National Public Service Week provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the contribution and accomplishments of public service employees across Canada, and especially here in the Northwest Territories.