N.W.T.’s premier has responded to a proposed voting bloc by three regular MLAs by saying that the Legislative Assembly can only achieve its priorities through a “co-operative approach” where all members shape decision-making.
“We recognize that there is always room to improve how we work together,” Premier R.J. Simpson said in an emailed statement Thursday evening. “These discussions are important and we welcome constructive dialogue on how we can continue to evolve and strengthen our consensus system.”
Kieron Testart, the MLA for Range Lake, on Thursday presented the idea of forming a committee of regular members who vote together on issues in the territory’s legislature.
He was backed by Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon and Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, and said that other members would talk about it with their constituents during the break.
Testart pitched the committee as a way to get things done more quickly and as a way to “save consensus government.”
Simpson said in his statement that at the heart of consensus government is collaboration, but also good governance, accountability and the voices of all Northerners.
“I encourage all members to bring forward their ideas through the well-established rules and conventions of the Legislative Assembly, so we can continue to work together — without partisanship — toward the best outcomes for the people of the Northwest Territories,” the premier said.
