Three MLAs are pushing for an independent caucus. Whether internal support grows for their initiative remains to be seen.

The trio consists of Yellowknife legislators Robert Hawkins and Kieron Testart, as well as Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon.

"We're here to save consensus government," said Testart on Feb. 13 while standing in the legislative assembly, in a roomful of media and members of the public. "The NWT has never been under such a great threat."

Testart pointed to a housing crisis, a lacklustre healthcare system, a trade war with the U.S. and waning diamond mines as reasons for formalizing an independent caucus.

The argument is that cabinet ministers are dismissing regular MLAs and their concerns, and instead favouring their own agenda and voting in solidarity with each other. The independent caucus would then unite a group of regular MLAs to vote as a bloc. 

Hawkins cited examples where he feels regular MLAs are not being heard: the pending closures of Aurora College community learning centres, the territory scrapping its affirmative action policy, and when he asked Premier R.J. Simpson about changing the name of the NWT.

That's why he wants to form a committee for regular MLAs to find more common interests, he said.

"You try to find ways to work with colleagues so you can share initiatives together," said Hawkins. "Sometimes there are issues that are not on my plate, but I recognize my issues might not be on theirs. So, if there's a willingness to extend the hand, I think that is, ultimately, true consensus government."

To the argument this would effectively create two distinct parties in the assembly, Testart made his opinion on that clear.

"Facts don't care about your feelings. And one member's feelings about party politics don't make it true. The fact is there are party politics in the NWT, the cabinet party. We think it's time they were held to account by MLAs, committed to working together for a better future."

Edjericon said this government will have a very tough four years ahead. Smaller, Indigenous communities are not being heard, he maintained.

"We've got a crisis in alcohol and drugs. Our infrastructure's not there. We don't have people working in the health centres, arenas, youth centres, et cetera," he said. "I'm concerned." 

Asked whether there have been talks of wanting a cabinet shuffle, Testart said yes. 

"There have been talks about how we can hold cabinet to account, how we can make some changes, especially around healthcare and education," he said, noting healthcare in particular. "We see there are some issues with management that need to be addressed."

And whether there have also been talks of calling for a non-confidence vote, Testart said, "We're not there yet." 

Regular MLAs are heading back to their ridings next week to ask their constituencies if they want them to be part of this independent caucus. Two other Yellowknife members in attendance that day, Shauna Morgan and Julian Morse, were reluctant to express support.

"I would say right now that it does not align with my values," said Morgan, adding that she wouldn't want to sacrifice what she believes in to instead support the interests of the caucus.

She said there are mechanisms built in to ensure ministers and regular members are in conversation about issues facing the territory.

"Every single minister has expressed willingness to meet with any regular MLA," said Morgan. "I've certainly taken advantage of that."

Like Morgan, Morse said he's not prepared to join the caucus, but has no issue with other MLAs taking part in it.

"I think it's something they are free to do," he said.

Morse pointed out there are no rules that stop regular members from collaborating. He added that ministers have not been dismissive towards him. 

"Every time I email, call or otherwise ask to meet with cabinet, they have been very quick to respond to me and, more often than, not bend over backwards to make time for me," said Morse.