Despite the reputation of governments being opaque, slow-moving bureaucracies, communication within the GNWT has been satisfactory since the Covid-19 pandemic began, say several MLAs.

The speed and thoroughness of government responses to inquiries by MLAs vary, but overall their experiences have been good.

For Caitlin Cleveland, MLA for Kam Lake, the GNWT has been SA国际影视传媒渧ery responsiveSA国际影视传媒� to her concerns considering the larger volume of questions that she and the government have been fielding from the public since the pandemic hit.

SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes they don't get to my emails because they get tons and tons of emails. Over the course of the last eight weeks everyone has been incredibly busy and trying to make sure they're juggling all their hats.

SA国际影视传媒淚 wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 say ISA国际影视传媒檓 overly upset or unimpressed with the way (the territorial government) handles communications. I wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 say that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a particular minister whom I haven't received a response from. ISA国际影视传媒檓 sure there are moving parts to the government and there are many times I would like to get answers to everything, but them briefing MLAs for every change that happens isn't realistic,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome questions I put through require some reflection or research on the part of the minister. Sometimes they're not straightforward. Sometimes they're easy. The good news is that I find my colleagues very easy to talk to.SA国际影视传媒�

Rocky Simpson, MLA for Hay River South, feels similar to Cleveland. He said he's pleased overall with the responsiveness of each GNWT department.

SA国际影视传媒淎s a regular MLA, I receive a wide range of questions and concerns from constituents. Depending on the depth of the response required, I may have to expect that some of  responses may not be as timely as I would like. But what I do expect is that the (department's) response is factual and satisfactory the first time -- a standard bureaucratic answer will not suffice,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Julie Green, MLA for Yellowknife Centre, said she gives the GNWT a SA国际影视传媒淏SA国际影视传媒� grade because its response time to her inquiries can range from less than a day to a few weeks.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was having a good response time from ministers from my constituent inquiries, but once the pandemic began, the volume of questions increased substantially,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have been waiting for weeks for a breakdown of (Covid) testing by region, although we now have partial info on that. We have also been waiting for a response to questions about how to get students set up with tablets so they can do school work. We would like to know what's up with the economic council announced on March 20. Others are requests for clarification from the chief public health officer.SA国际影视传媒�

Transparency issues

The experiences of  Cleveland, Simpson and Green contrast with the words of Rylund Johnson, MLA for Yellowknife North, who in an email on April 13 criticized the GNWT for not identifying spokespeople when responding to media inquiries.

RELATED REPORTING: Who is GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 press secretary? They wonSA国际影视传媒檛 say. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 a problem, says Yk MLA

SA国际影视传媒淚f Cabinet (Communications) is also massaging the message coming out of departments and then not attributing decisions to actual people, we lack the transparency needed from our government where such important decisions are being made,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

The MLA followed that up with a post on his website on , when he made reference to transparency issues with government during the pandemic.

SA国际影视传媒淲e need to cut the fluff. We need to stop adding government comms nonsense to answers. Perhaps doublespeak was an acceptable tool to delay answering before, when the government took its time to move. It is not now. Answers must be in facts, not waffling.SA国际影视传媒�

However, Johnson was among the nine MLAs who didnSA国际影视传媒檛 respond to NNSL inquiries by press time for this story.

Not necessarily worse since Covid

From the perspective of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 ombud, an independent office that investigates concerns with the functioning of the GNWT, most complaints it receives relate to communications issues, but there hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been an increase in such issues since the coronavirus outbreak started.

SA国际影视传媒淚 haven't had any complaints about the GNWT related to Covid-19 or the pandemic,SA国际影视传媒� said Colette Langlois, who completed one year in office as ombud last month.

RELATED REPORTING: Colette Langlois begins role as NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 first ombud

The office, based in Hay River began accepting complaints on Nov. 18, 2019.

SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes (with complaints) there was a decision made or a procedure and it wasn't explained well to them. Or sometimes someone didn't call them back and there was a break in communications. I don't think it has changed since the pandemic started. Sometimes weSA国际影视传媒檙e dealing with something going on right now. Sometimes it goes back further and has more history to it.

SA国际影视传媒�(Complainants) might be upset about the process theySA国际影视传媒檙e supposed to follow. Plain language is really important in a lot of cases and you don't always get that in government. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 challenging (for the public) and itSA国际影视传媒檚 challenging for my office too. It takes extra time and itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important. I think some people are really familiar with the jargon when theySA国际影视传媒檙e working with it every day but others might not understand that.SA国际影视传媒�