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GN creates new Department of Human Resources

Georges-Hickes
Heath Minister George Hickes says if the GN's 2019-2020 budget, to be unveiled Feb. 20, is approved in the Legislative Assembly, plans for in-territory trauma and addictions treatment will advance. photo courtesy Nunavut Legislative Assembly.

With an eye on Inuit employment rates, the Government of Nunavut announced today that is creating a new Department of Human Resources.

George Hickes, minister responsible for Nunavut's public service. photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut

The new department will bring together functions that have fallen under Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Department of Finance.

"We are moving forward with our Turaaqtavut commitments aimed at strengthening human resource capacity across the GN,” said George Hickes, minister responsible for the Public Service.  "The creation of a more targeted department echoes the direction of full caucus, and is an important first step forward."

Work is underway to identify the best structure for the new department, to develop budgets and realign staff, and to determine an implementation timeline, according to a GN news release. A planning team will be tasked with ensuring that the transition is smooth and effortless, and has as little impact as possible on employees, and government programs and services, the GN stated in its communique.