dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðɪs tˈaɪm, hiː nᵻɡˈoʊʃɪˌeɪɾᵻd wɪð ðˈɛn pɹəmˈɪɹ ɹˈɔs θˈætʃɚ, fɚɹə fˈaɪv pɚsˈɛnt hˈaɪɚɹɪŋ pˈɑːlɪsi ʌv fˈɜːst nˈeɪʃənz ænd mˈeɪɾiz pˈiːpəl wɪðˌɪn ðə pɹəvˈɪnʃəl ɡˈʌvɚnmənt.
During this time, he negotiated with then Premier Ross Thatcher, for a five percent hiring policy of First Nations and Métis people within the provincial government.