'We don't want a war': Nunavut MLAs reignite human resources debate

Nunavut MLAs are reigniting a hot-button issue from the legislature's last sitting how the territory should handle human resources complaints and an ongoing problem of bullying in the public service.

In June, regular MLAs took human resources officials to task, ending several days of passionate debate by passing a motion that called on the government to create an Independent Public Service Commission, akin to abody used in Yukon.

"It's an open and transparent way [to handle human resources issues]," Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA Pat Angnakak told CBC.

"It's not behind a closed door."

Angnakak argues the commission would help address the "toxic environment" in some government workplaces, where employees who are harassed don't feel comfortable filing a complaint.

But, in two heated exchanges in theNunavutlegislature last week, Finance Minister Keith Peterson made it clear he's not sold on the idea.

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'Countless complaints' addressed by new system

Prior to 2013, Nunavut had a Human Resources department. That year, it was disbanded, with responsibilities split between two other departments: Finance and Executive and Intergovernmental affairs.

Last week, Angnakaksuggested rebuilding the department.

"I spent four days in the witness chair, in the summer, answering questions from all MLAs and I thought they were very good answers," Peterson told Angnakak.

The overall vacancy rate... currently stands at 28 per cent, with 1,314 positions being vacant.- MLA Pat Angnakak

He says moving human resources responsibilities back to a single group would be costly and duplicate work.

"There were countless reports, or I shouldn't say countless, but there were countless complaints about HR over those years [before the department was eliminated]," he said.

Angnakak disagreed.

"Just because somebody talks for 20 minutes, it doesn't mean that we are in agreement," she responded.

On top of that, Angnakakcalled out the minister for saying the new system has strengthened human resources, saying the most recent numbers show the government has more empty positions than before it was restructured.

"The overall vacancy rate has actually increased by five per cent since that time and currently stands at 28 per cent, with 1,314 positions being vacant."

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If you've got information, 'table it'

The minister doubled-down on his concerns later in the week when Iqaluit-Sinaa MLA Paul Okalikreiterated Angnakak's call for an independent commission.

Although every member of the cabinet voted against the June motion, Okalik said "a clear majority" of MLAswantthe change, "which wouldbring all government human resource functions and responsibilities back to where they belong under one roof."

He asked if Peterson would be respecting "the will of the house."

Peterson responded with a challenge.

Once again bringing up a report by the Auditor General which outlined a number of ways the government was not fulfilling its human resources targets, Peterson said the government's improved job statistics show the system works.

"I'd invite Mr. Okalik and Ms. Angnakak to table their information in the house, so that we can examine it here, publicly, what they have that makes them so sure that the public service commission is the way to go," Peterson said.

"Please do that. We have our information, why don't they table their information."

On Monday, the two regular MLAsanswered that call. Angnakak tabled information on Yukon's Independent Public Service Commission;Okalik tabled the body's most recent main estimates, which, he says, shows the commission is "quite affordable."

MLAs 'not looking for a war'

Angnakak says she doesn't want to have an antagonistic relationship with Peterson, and says she hopes they can work together on this issue.

"We're not looking for a war," she said in an interview."We're looking for a better way to do business within the GN."

During thefirst exchange in the legislature, Peterson said "his staff is hard at work on reviewing the public service commission concept."

Angnakak says she takes that statement, as well as the minister's challenge, as an encouragingsign.

"We've got to start from somewhere and everybody has to be open to change," she said. "If we have someone who's not open to change and they think of every excuse in the book, it's going to be very difficult to get there."

For her part, Angnakak says she can't give up on the idea because constituents continue to come to her with stories of bullying and workplace harassment, including people who are excluded from meetings, asked to do duties outside their job description or made to feel guilty for taking time off.

"There are people out there who truly are suffering," she said. "And they have no choice but to go to work."