Whether MLAs will agree to introduce a motion of revocation to remove Minister Louis Sebert from cabinet when the third session of the 18th assembly begins Tuesday remains uncertain.
What is clear is MLAs have a lot left to say about their midterm review. Sebert stood alone, with the lone non-binding, non-confidence vote from the majority of MLAs on Oct. 5.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think the midterm review is whatSA国际影视传媒檚 capturing everyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 attention right now,SA国际影视传媒� said Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne. SA国际影视传媒淚 think it needs to be addressed seriously and then we can get past it and then really get on with the work at hand.SA国际影视传媒�
He did not want to speculate about whether members will introduce a motion Tuesday.
However, like some other regular members, Vanthuyne expressed frustration about the unified front cabinet presented during the midterm review.
Cabinet stood up Oct. 5 and stated they would not resign if the majority of membersSA国际影视传媒� votes showed they did not have confidence in their leadership and performance, despite many membersSA国际影视传媒� expectation a resignation would be part of the process.
Vanthuyne said while members are trying to strengthen consensus government and accountability, theySA国际影视传媒檙e at the same time SA国际影视传媒渢hwartingSA国际影视传媒� those efforts.
However, at least a few MLAs think introducing a motion of revocation for SebertSA国际影视传媒檚 resignation is exactly what is needed Tuesday.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 what Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart said he expects regular members will do.
While Testart said he thinks the ministerSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渃omplete unwillingness to work with regular membersSA国际影视传媒� on the A New Day menSA国际影视传媒檚 healing program, as well as his handling of land management issues, contributed to his non-confidence result, the issue is about more than one ministerSA国际影视传媒檚 performance.
SA国际影视传媒淭his is about the integrity of our democracy,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭o not stand up and reflect that majority vote on the floor at this point I think does not speak well to the future of consensus government.SA国际影视传媒�
Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green said a motion is SA国际影视传媒渢he logical next step.SA国际影视传媒�
She told News/North on Friday that regular members are expected to meet Monday to discuss their plan going forward.
As for whether the midterm review was the best process to follow SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒渕aybe, maybe not,SA国际影视传媒� said Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson.
But it was what was agreed to at the beginning of the assembly, he said.
While Thompson was unable to say whether members will introduce a motion Tuesday, he said he is ready to stand up and vote if needed and to work with whatever outcome results from the midterm process.
Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson said he wants to see everyone work together to improve relationships with ministers, regardless of whether or not there is a motion.
When issues with ministers arise, he said, members need to set time aside to work through them rather than let them build up.
Tuesday also presents an SA国际影视传媒渋mportant momentSA国际影视传媒� to examine whether a midterm review would be a worthwhile exercise for the next government, said Green.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檒l be interesting to see what we come up with on Tuesday,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Besides the midterm review, MLAs told News/North they expect to raise a range of issues, from family violence to the legalization of marijuana and a carbon tax.
The commissioner will deliver an opening address that will signal some of the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 priorities for the final two years of the 18th legislative assembly, said Green.
Sebert is the Minister of Justice, Minister of Lands, Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, as well as the Minister Responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency.
News/North requested to speak to Minister Sebert but did not receive a response for an interview from the GNWT by press time.
