The public service is the largest employer in Nunavut. New data from the 2016 Nunavut Government Employee Survey contains information about conditions that create a good work environment, as well as potential barriers to the employment and retention of Inuit in the public service in Nunavut. The Nunavut Government Employee Survey surveyed 4,724 people from April 25 to June 24, 2016. Questions were developed by Statistics Canada in collaboration with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Government of Nunavut and Employment and Social Development Canada.

Approximately 6,300 employees work in the public sector in Nunavut—95% for the Government of Nunavut and 5% for the Government of Canada in Nunavut. Of all government employees in Nunavut, just over half were Inuit (52%). Almost two-thirds (65%) of employees were female, whereas women accounted for less than half the territory's population (49%). Nearly half of all employees (49%) were 30 to 49 years old, older than the median age for Nunavut which was about 24.

In total, just over 3 in 5 government employees held permanent (indeterminate) jobs. The other 2 in 5 employees held non-permanent positions that were seasonal, term, contract or casual. However, the proportions of permanent and non-permanent workers varied depending on their employers. A majority (81%) of Government of Canada workers in Nunavut were employed in permanent positions. In comparison, a smaller percentage of Government of Nunavut employees (59%) reported working in permanent jobs. Both Inuit and non-Inuit employees were equally likely to report working in a permanent position.

News release: Initial Findings from the Nunavut Government Employee Survey, 2016