Two MLAs are heading to Sydney, Australia in November to attend the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) this November.
Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson, who's also Speaker of the House, and Great Slave MLA Kate Reid are the pair who will represent the NWT and Reid said it will be her first time going to Australia.Reid said it'll be her first travelling as an MLA and it will be her first time in Australia.
"The Speaker put a call out in the springtime for female members who might wish to be the women's delegate to the branch and I put my name forward," said Reid, explaining how she got selected by Thompson. "He selected me on whatever criteria he chose."
She added that she's excited for the opportunity, noting the chance for good conversations around consensus government and how to improve it.
Consensus governments are few and far between in this world. The NWT and Nunavut are the only two places in North America that have the system in place. The Guernsey islands, located in the English Channel near the French coast, also have a consensus government.
The bill to send both down under will cost about $33,000, a figure that includes airfare, registration, and accommodation, according to an email from the legislative assembly. A member's handbook from the assembly explains that the NWT branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will be paying for the trip.
It also notes that only the Speaker and one member are authorized to go.
"I am extremely cognizant of the fact that is an expensive trip, but I am very grateful for the opportunity," said Reid.
Reid added she's not bringing anyone else with her on the trip and will be in Australia for six days. In that time, it doesn't sound like she'll be doing much sight-seeing.
"They keep us pretty busy," said Reid. "I believe there's an opportunity to do a social activity, but I'm not sure what the Speaker has selected."
Reid said that once she lands, she'll be attending meetings the same day.
"I'll also be attending the women's meetings and I believe the Speaker is keen to have me attend as many opportunities as possible and I will join him for some of the disability meetings as well," she added.
Reid is the territory's representative for Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, whereas Thompson serves as the Canadian Regional Champion for Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities. Thompson has also been nominated for the position of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Small Branches Chairperson as well, according to the assembly.
As for Reid, she's been invited to present at the conference on Balancing Traditions and Innovation: Modernising the Westminster System in Small Jurisdictions, where she will offer insights from the legislative assemblySA国际影视传媒檚 experience, followed by a question-and-answer session.
"I'm very excited about this. I'm a very strong believer in consensus government and how it can evolve," Reid said about the trip.
No MLAs attended last year's CPC, which took place in Ghana. The reason being that the territorial election last year conflicted with the timing of the conference, said Reid.
SA国际影视传媒 reached out to Thompson for comment, but did not receive a reply by press time.
