A Yellowknife MLA hopes to see a bill introduced this fall that would establish an ombudsman in the Northwest Territories.
But the bill is still far from becoming reality, according to Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart, who shared concerns about the pace of work.
SA国际影视传媒�Our mandate is very clear that it will be developed and introduced by mid-term, which is rapidly approaching,SA国际影视传媒� said Testart, chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations which is currently reviewing a legislative proposal for ombudsman legislation.
SA国际影视传媒�This ombudsman legislation has been very slow going and has met with a tremendous amount of resistance from the cabinet.SA国际影视传媒�
Last February, the 18th Legislative Assembly made a promise in its mandate to establish an independent ombudsmanSA国际影视传媒檚 office within two years.
The ombudsmanSA国际影视传媒檚 role would be to investigate complaints from the public and provide oversight of government procedures.
SA国际影视传媒�At this time we are working our way through the legislative process with MLAs and look forward to developing a bill for introduction in an upcoming session once we have their feedback,SA国际影视传媒� stated Justice Minister Louis Sebert in a statement to Yellowknifer.
Cabinet spokesperson Andrew Livingstone added the GNWT SA国际影视传媒渋s on track to have the legislation developed within two years from the date of the adoption of the mandate.SA国际影视传媒�
According to a 2014 report from the Standing Committee on Government Operations, the NWT is one of just three jurisdictions in Canada that lack an ombudsman. Nunavut and P.E.I. are the others.
The report also shows MLAs have been tossing around the idea of establishing an ombudsmanSA国际影视传媒檚 office since the 12th legislative assembly SA国际影视传媒� more than two decades ago.
Over the years, MLAs have gathered public feedback, produced reports, carried motions recommending legislation be created and delivered numerous member statements expressing support for an ombudsman.
SA国际影视传媒�Never before has the need for an ombudsman been greater,SA国际影视传媒� the 2014 report concluded.
Wendy Bisaro, Frame Lake MLA during the 16th and 17th assemblies, was an advocate for an ombudsman during her time in politics but cabinet was not supportive at the time.
SA国际影视传媒�Their response SA国际影视传媒� was it was going to cost money, that we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have the money and also that we had all these other appeal processes and other mechanisms in place that would suffice,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 cover everything.SA国际影视传媒�
She said there is no central place residents can go to seek help with a problem.
The territory has reached a point where it needs an independent arbitrator, she added, as the government has taken on greater responsibilities as a result of devolution.
She and Testart arenSA国际影视传媒檛 the only ones concerned.
Last month, the family of 19-year-old David Vinnicombe, an Australian man who died on the job in Inuvik last June, met with the justice minister to encourage him to take action.
They flew from Australia to speak at YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 National Day of Mourning for workers injured and killed on the job, where they told Yellowknifer the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 system for dealing with workplace deaths needs improvement.
They called the lack of an ombudsman in the NWT a SA国际影视传媒渇undamental flaw.SA国际影视传媒�
Testart said establishing an ombudsmanSA国际影视传媒檚 office will improve accountability.
SA国际影视传媒�When citizens are looking for an advocate or are frustrated with government policy, they donSA国际影视传媒檛 know where to turn,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淗aving a single point of entry is only going to improve the ability of our government to deliver on public services to the population in a way thatSA国际影视传媒檚 fair and unbiased.SA国际影视传媒�
