Here we are with a global economic war at our doorstep started by U.S. President Donald Trump and his flunkies. The North is threatened, CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 very existence is at risk, and our legislature is in session to deal not only with these pressing matters, it must pass a budget. These are the most destabilized and dangerous times since the Second World War. Folks are anxious, worried and fearful.
It is in the midst of these terrible goings on that two disgruntled MLAs from Yellowknife and one representing Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh take it upon themselves to further destabilize things in the NWT by trying to undermine our consensus system of government.
In my 20 years in the legislature, at times of pressing debate, MLAs, including myself, would say how SA国际影视传媒渟hocked and appalledSA国际影视传媒� they were about what was going on in relation to some important matter before the House. I use those words today in this column. It is shocking and appalling that these MLAs would demonstrate such poor political judgment and timing. Our system of government has served us well and continues to do so.
There are a couple of things worth noting as we look at this issue:
-It is being pushed by three unhappy MLAs. Unsuccessful in convincing their colleagues to support their recent bids for premier or cabinet, they now assert the current system is flawed and SA国际影视传媒渟ystemic changeSA国际影视传媒� is in order. Back in my day, these folks would have been labelled SA国际影视传媒渂itter and twistedSA国际影视传媒� and laughed out of the members lounge by their colleagues.
-The MLA from Range Lake, Kieron Testart, is once again on his political hobby horse asserting that party politics is the only way forward and the consensus system of government should be consigned to the dust bin of history. The proposition to set up an official opposition caucus SA国际影视传媒� led by him, of course SA国际影视传媒� is a back-door way of doing that.
The very real issue of powerful, unelected officials at the centre, running the government and managing the cabinet, is a red herring. While the issue is real, the proposed SA国际影视传媒渇ixSA国际影视传媒� is inappropriate. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 like getting a divorce because your kids are naughty.
Bruised egos aside, it is unacceptable to try to dismantle our consensus government by subterfuge and political sleight of hand. Every legislature to date has committed to defending our consensus government system. The people have supported that. Over the years, several attempts have been made to start a territorial party or run a slate of candidates, as the NDP tried. All have been unsuccessful, including the previous attempts by the MLA from Range Lake.
A quick word about party politics. Look around the country and the world, party politics in not a panacea. In Canada, at the federal and provincial/territorial level, governments are run with nearly absolute authority by the prime minister or premiers and their senior staff, minimizing the role of elected MLAs, MPs and making ministers almost irrelevant.
In a consensus system, the checks and balances are there to prevent the premier and senior officials from becoming all powerful. The MLAs elect the premier and cabinet. The premier and cabinet work as a team, supported by the secretary to cabinet and the principal secretary. The executive branch is always accountable to the legislature. This system requires constant political attention. Periodically, when a cabinet gets too complacent, the senior officialSA国际影视传媒檚 tail starts to wag the cabinet dog, which is inappropriate and needs to be dealt with by cabinet. This requires political will. The consensus system is designed so that regular MLAs always have a majority and the right to vote as they see fit. The tools are there. It is a poor carpenter who, when they hit their thumb with their hammer, blames the hammer and throws it away.
The timing for bringing this matter up could not be worse. The North and Canada are in an escalating economic war with Trump. It started with tariffs, includes a play for our natural resources and water, and looks to include the very serious threat of outright annexation. The global turmoil caused by Trump is unprecedented. Our lack of preparedness is huge. We are moving into a war footing here.
Everyone has to step up as we rush to defend our institutions, governments, communities and families. In the NWT, our to-do list is daunting. The news continues to worsen, as does TrumpSA国际影视传媒檚 bizarre behaviour. No one is coming to save us. Only we can be the authors of our own survival. We cannot afford to waste a moment more on this wrongheaded, ill-timed, self-serving proposal.
