N.W.T. government posts salary ranges for all positions

Salary ranges for all positions within the Northwest Territories government are now available on a single website.

The territorial government says it made the move as part of its priority to improve openness and transparency.

The information was previously available to the public through job postings. Now it is compiled on the Department of Human Resources website.

In a Nov. 18 news release, Robert C. McLeod, minister of Human Resources, said, "Providing information about salary ranges for all GNWT positions through our website is just one way to let N.W.T. residents know how public money is being spent."

According to the department, deputy ministers make a minimum of $175,881 annually, and their salaries can go up to $268,708.

Highest ranking senior managers can make up to $263,816, while the highest band for unionized employees tops out at $156,410.

These numbers do not include bonuses, allowances, and other benefits.

Todd Sasaki, communications officer with the department of Human Resources, said specific pay and names will not be released.

"Disclosing the name, specific pay, and bonuses of individual employees is considered an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy under the access to information and protection of privacy act," Sasaki said.

Cory Vanthuyne, MLA for Yellowknife North, supports that decision.

"I don't think that folks need to know, or necessarily want to know specifics about individuals' pay structures or salaries, but it is important that they know where their tax dollars are going."

Territorial government could do more

Vanthuyne wants the territorial government to open up its operations even further. He's hopeful department business plan reviews will become a public process, much like his experience as a councillor with the City of Yellowknife.

"I think it's just been the nature of the business here at the assembly, for many assemblies, that business plan reviews have been conducted in camera," Vanthuyne said.

"When the city conducts their business plans, whether you are talking about personnel and staffing, or whether you are talking about programs and services, or whether you are talking about what infrastructure to invest in for the forthcoming year, it's all done open and public. I don't see any harm in that.

"It's something I would like to see recorded and have it posted on our website."

Vanthuyne said meetings could still go in camera, but should start open to the public.

Step in the right direction

The N.W.T. Chamber of Commerce is also looking for more public access to the inner workings of the public service.

Mike Bradshaw, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said he recently took part in a roundtable discussion with Public Engagement and Transparency minister Louis Sebert. Bradshaw said it was a good start and it is clear that the territorial government wants to fast track open government.

Bradshaw said the core goals discussed at the Nov. 8 roundtable were "making government data more accessible, making it more understandable, and enabling people in the territory to contribute to potential government decisions before they hit the floor of the legislative assembly.

"The public service is primarily siloed. So sometimes it's hard to get into the conversation. Sometimes you don't even know the conversation is taking place until after it is finished and there is an announcement about what's going to happen, rather than an opportunity to truly engage in a meaningful way up front."

Bradshaw said he has complete faith that the territorial government's move to more transparency and openness will change how the territorial government does business.