The candidates in retiring Premier Bob McLeod's riding have achieved consensus on our form of government.
Caroline Wawzonek and Gaeleen MacPherson, running in Yellowknife South, made comments Monday that werenSA国际影视传媒檛 far apart on whether or not the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 consensus-style government has worn out its welcome in the North.
Both candidates vying for a spot in the 19th Assembly told a crowd at N.J. Macpherson School SA国际影视传媒� gathering for the final forum in a series of OpenNWT-hosted public debates on Sept. 23 SA国际影视传媒� they wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 support party politics.
SA国际影视传媒淭he fact that weSA国际影视传媒檙e not tied to any political area or idea means weSA国际影视传媒檙e able to bring the best ideas from all areas and bring them forward,SA国际影视传媒� said Wawzonek, adding sheSA国际影视传媒檚 been convinced of the consensus government conceptSA国际影视传媒檚 place in the NWT after speaking with constituents during her run for MLA.
The territory is one of two jurisdictions in the country that adheres to a consensus-style government. MLAs are elected as independents, who go on to select a speaker, half a dozen ministers and the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 premier SA国际影视传媒� without party affiliations.
The form of governance has been touted as being inclusive fashion between Western and Indigenous models, but some have questioned its effectiveness in recent months.
Earlier this year, Kam Lake MLA incumbent Kieron Testart pushed for a shift to party politics. The move wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 backed in the assembly, and the motion eventually failed. But the issue made its way into the debate Monday night. Both candidates were asked what their position on the model was, and what could be done to strengthen it.
SA国际影视传媒淚 love our style of government,SA国际影视传媒� said Gaeleen MacPherson. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 something ISA国际影视传媒檓 a fan of. I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 unique to the North and the Territories. Do I think it needs work? Yes.SA国际影视传媒�
MacPherson went on to say the model fosters a collective, common ground vision when MLAs are working together SA国际影视传媒� one that goes beyond SA国际影视传媒渄rawing the lines of party politics.SA国际影视传媒�
Wawzonek agreed SA国际影视传媒� the system isn't perfect.
But the candidate said concerns around government accountability SA国际影视传媒� making sure the results promised by candidates are being delivered by MLAs SA国际影视传媒� can be remedied by ensuring actionable items are actually being acted on. That will lead to better communication, trust and connection between the government and its constituents, said Wawzonek.
Action on climate change
Mounting worries about climate change and its impact on the North were also addressed by the pair of Yellowknife South candidates.
Asked what she would do if elected to curb the encroaching threat, MacPherson, who worked for 15 years in the mining industry, said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 all for development in the industry SA国际影视传媒� but only if itSA国际影视传媒檚 responsible.
SA国际影视传媒淲e need to look at a lot more infrastructure thatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to lessen our carbon footprint,SA国际影视传媒� she said. MacPherson said the territory needs to explore SA国际影视传媒� and invest SA国际影视传媒� in alternative energy sources, including wind, solar and biomass energy, a sentiment shared by Wawzonek.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat's going to mean working with other municipalities in remote locations in terms of what makes sense for them; working with outside funders; making sure weSA国际影视传媒檙e incentivizing businesses,SA国际影视传媒� said MacPherson.
Wawzonek said the next government needs to make sure the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 goals when it comes to climate change, outlined in its 2030 strategy, are being worked towards.
SA国际影视传媒淲e need to make sure weSA国际影视传媒檙e actually implementing the ideas weSA国际影视传媒檝e already got and utilizing the ideas weSA国际影视传媒檝e already got so we donSA国际影视传媒檛 get to 2030 and realize no one was made accountable for those action items,SA国际影视传媒� said Wawzonek.
