The legislative assembly roundly defeated a proposal by Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart last night that would allow party politics in the Northwest Territories, as MLAs and ministers spoke in favour of consensus government.

TestartSA国际影视传媒檚 proposed amendments to the Elections and Plebiscites Act failed almost unanimously, with Justice Minister Louis Sebert abstaining. The amendments would have allowed for the formation, registration and regulation of political parties in the NWT.

Consensus government only works if it follows its SA国际影视传媒渢rue intent,SA国际影视传媒� said Tu Nedh茅-Wiilideh MLA Tom Beaulieu.

SA国际影视传媒淚t doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 work if cabinet doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 wish it to work,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he system where everyone is represented and everyone has a say is not coming out under this current consensus government.SA国际影视传媒�

In a spirited debate around party politics, Beaulieu painted a picture of consensus government, a contorted version of its original vision and an imperfect system that must return to its roots to be effective.

Regular MLAs sit in opposition to cabinet and cannot attract a fair share of government resources to their constituencies. MLAs voting along cabinet lines are effectively backbenchers, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople would not give party politics a second thought if the current system were working the way it should work,SA国际影视传媒� said Beaulieu.

And so, party politics SA国际影视传媒渃reep in.SA国际影视传媒�

Disappointed that his colleagues focused largely on issues around consensus instead of debating the substance of his amendments, Testart told News/North the assembly had not seen such a spirited debate and public engagement SA国际影视传媒渢o this degree since they took office,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

"I'm not proposing to dismantle consensus government,SA国际影视传媒� said Testart in an interview.

SA国际影视传媒淚 am not proposing to change how we work in this building. I am proposing to add options to voters to make the decision for themselves.SA国际影视传媒�

There is no current definition of political parties in the territory and the amendments would have SA国际影视传媒渃learly definedSA国际影视传媒� the roles, rights and responsibilities similarly to the regulation of political parties in other territorial and provincial jurisdictions.

Frustration with lack of accountability, transparency: Nadli

Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli agreed that consensus government has effectively become a party system of regular MLAs and cabinet, but he wouldn't support Testart's motion.

Testart's proposal is emerging from SA国际影视传媒渇rustration in terms of accountability and transparency,SA国际影视传媒� said Nadli.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat caused the movement to bring us to this inevitable point? How do you make ministers more accountable? The consensus government does not foster a very transparent and accountable process,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Consensus was created to serve the interests of Dene, Inuvialuit and Metis in the NWT, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 the experiment we have right now and we have to make it work,SA国际影视传媒� said Nadli.

Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod noted that the territory built consensus on a mix of the Indigenous principles of a sharing circle and British-style parliamentary procedures.

SA国际影视传媒淔or an institution that prides itself on hearing the people, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think we heard them on this one because there hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been a groundswell of support for this,SA国际影视传媒� said McLeod.

Bring party politics to public consultation, say MLAs

Testart should introduce party politics in a private members bill and put it to a public consultation or plebiscite, said several MLAs opposing his amendments.

Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson said he initially committed to support TestartSA国际影视传媒檚 motion but changed his mind to back the will of residents.

Education Minister Caroline Cochrane cited her own concerns around the amendments creating financial barriers to running for political office.

She opposed the provision allowing candidates to spend $30,000 in the year preceding an election, and another $30,000 during the election period.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know many people living in poverty who could come up with $60,000,SA国际影视传媒� said Cochrane.

In her rise to territorial politics, Cochrane overcame financial barriers and is concerned party politics could limit aspiring politicians without the means to run expensive campaigns.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat is not accessible to people in poverty. We have to be able to allow people to get into seats,SA国际影视传媒� she said.