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News Releases - 2006
- MLA for Monfwi elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight - November 2, 2006
- Legislative Assembly approves appointments to the Standing Committees and Board of Management - November 2, 2006
- New Chief Electoral Officer appointed by the Legislative Assembly of the NWT - November 2, 2006
- Kam Lake MLA pleased with Speaker’s Ruling - October 27, 2006
- First Reading of Bill to set fixed date for general elections Bill 15 – Elections and Plebiscites Act - October 26, 2006
- MLA’s Recommend Kevin Menicoche for appointment to the Executive Council - October 23, 2006
- First Reading of Bill to revise NWT electoral boundaries - October 20, 2006
- Territorial Leadership Committee to meet on October 23, 2006 - October 19, 2006
- Nahendeh MLA supports Trout Lake’s decision not to cancel community hunt in favour of NEB visit - October 5, 2006
- MLAs Distance themselves from Premier’s remarks - September 26, 2006
- Sahtu MLA disappointed Deline, NT ignored in CBC production Hockey: A People’s History - September 19, 2006
- Pre-budget community consultations wrap up with a full slate of presentations - September 6, 2006
- Electoral Boundaries Commission Report Tabled - May 31, 2006
- Motion Adopted for Recognition of Aboriginal Elders Expertise - March 3, 2006
- Designated Budget Days For Legislative Assembly Session - February 6, 2006
- Legislative Assembly Launches Pilot Project For Sessional Coverage - February 1, 2006
- MLA Robert Hawkins Vindicated in Elections Investigation Report - January 16, 2006
November 2, 2006
MLA for Monfwi elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight
( YELLOWKNIFE) – November 2, 2006 - The MLA for Monfwi, Mr. Jackson Lafferty has been elected by his colleagues as the Chairperson of the Accountability and Oversight Committee of the 15 th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. The vacancy was filled after the Committee’s previous chair was appointed to the Executive Council.
In his role as Chair, Mr. Lafferty will lead the 11-Member Standing Committee on Accountability as it undertakes its mandate and reviews issues that have government-wide implications. The Accountability and Oversight Committee examines matters with respect to the Financial Management Board Secretariat and the Departments of the Executive, Finance, Human Resources, and Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
The Chair of a Committee is responsible for maintaining order in Committee proceedings and ensuring that any rules established by the Committee are respected. Chairs of Committees also often assume a leadership role in planning and coordinating the Committee’s work and in conducting it’s investigations.
Prior to being elected in a by-election to the 15 th Legislative Assembly, Mr. Lafferty worked as a Superintendent of Participation Agreements with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. Other previous work experience includes, Community Development and Empowerment Coordinator for the GNWT, Administrator for the Rae-Edzo School Society, Assistant Manager for the Rae-Edzo Dene Band Development Corporation, and Community Liaison for Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
Mr. Lafferty has served on various boards and agencies including the Board of Governors for Aurora College, the Board of Directors for the Métis Dene Development Fund, Chairperson of the Dogrib Community Services Board, Chairperson of the Dogrib Post-Secondary Scholarship Fund and Band Councillor for the Dogrib Rae Band.
For further information:
Jackson Lafferty, Chair
Accountability and Oversight Committee
MLA Monfwi
Phone: 867-669-2272 or toll free1-800-661-0784
Email: jackson_lafferty@gov.nt.ca
November 2, 2006
Legislative Assembly approves appointments to the Standing Committees and Board of Management
( YELLOWKNIFE) - November 2, 2006 – Members of the 15 th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories passed a Motion appointing Mr. Michael Miltenberger, the MLA for Thebacha, to the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development and the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. The Motion also appoints Mr. Norman Yakeleya as a full member of the Board of Management.
In addition, Mr. Miltenberger is appointed as an alternate member to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, the Standing Committee on Social Programs, and the Board of Management.
In terms of responsibility, the shared mandate of the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development and the Standing Committee on Social Programs is to:
- review legislative and policy proposals, multi-year plans and budgets, Bills, boards and agencies;
- review departmental performance; and
- consider any other matter referred by the House.
The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development considers these matters with respect to the following departments: Public Works and Services; Municipal and Community Affairs; Industry, Tourism and Investment; Environment and Natural Resources, and Transportation.
The Board of Management is responsible for the general administration of the Legislative Assembly. The Board exercises financial authority over the Legislative Assembly and provides policy advice on organization and administration.
For further information:
Doug Schauerte, Deputy Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Phone: 867-669-2272 or toll free1-800-661-0784
Email: clerks@gov.nt.ca
November 2, 2006
New Chief Electoral Officer appointed by the Legislative Assembly of the NWT
YELLOWKNIFE (November 2, 2006) – The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories has confirmed the appointment of Ms.. Saundra Arberry as the Chief Electoral Officer of the NWT. The appointment is pursuant to Section 3 (1) of the Elections Act and takes effect on January 5, 2007.
Ms. Arberry’s professional history includes an appointment as the Electoral Returning Officer for the constituency of Yellowknife South for the previous two General Elections.
Ms. Arberry comes to Elections NWT with 12 years of experience working with the Government of the Northwest Territories, most recently with the Department of the Executive as the Senior Communications Advisor and as an Intergovernmental Affairs and Strategic Planning Analyst. In addition, Ms. Arberry spent 10 years with the Department of Justice.
In her role as Chief Electoral Officer, Ms. Arberry will report to the Legislative Assembly through the Speaker and will be responsible for the strategic management of territorial elections and plebiscites, exercising general direction and supervision over the administrative conduct of an election. In addition, the Chief Electoral Officer will establish policies and procedures, manage the Registrar of Territorial Electors, supply training and guidance to electoral officers, and provide advice and recommendations to the Legislative Assembly regarding elections legislation and policy.
Mr. Glen McLean, the current Chief Electoral Officer, is retiring from office on January 5, 2007. Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories express deep appreciation to Mr. McLean for his service to the House and to Northerners.
The next General Election will be held in October 2007.
For further information, please contact:
Tim Mercer, Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone: 867-669-2299 or toll-free: 1-800-661-0784
Email: tim_mercer@gov.nt.ca
October 27, 2006
Kam Lake MLA pleased with Speaker’s Ruling
YELLOWKNIFE (October 27) –Mr. David Ramsay, the MLA for Kam Lake, was pleased to hear that the Honourable Paul Delorey, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, has ruled a prima facie breach of privilege occurred in the Chamber on October 19,2006. The ruling is in response to a point of privilege raised by Mr. Ramsay following an exchange with the former Executive Council Member, Michael Miltenberger.
The Speaker’s Ruling stated, “A threat to a Member’s family and their livelihood, made by a Minister who is responsible for the operation of the very institution to which that family members works, could undoubtedly prevent that Member from speaking freely in the Chamber, and could be seen as a threat, intimidation or interference to that Member in the carrying out of his Parliamentary duties.”
In his ruling, the Speaker noted, “In speaking to the point of privilege, Mr. Miltenberger offered what I believe was a sincere apology to the Member for Kam Lake for his alleged actions and remarks. However, neither he, nor any other Member who was present in the House that day, offered an alternative explanation as to the meaning and intent of his actions, nor did anyone contest the description of his actions provided by the Member for Kam Lake. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, I can thus only conclude that the description of the Member for Thebacha’s action as offered by Mr. Ramsay are accurate.”
Kam Lake MLA David Ramsay says, “The Speaker’s ruling validates without question that this was the correct course of action. The ruling confirms that intimidation will not be tolerated and that the integrity of the institution must be upheld.”
Mr. Ramsay says, “I am very thankful and moved by the outpouring of support I have received from Northerners all over the territory. People say it was absolutely the right thing to do and that no Member of this House should ever be threatened by another Member for carrying out the work of his or her constituents.”
When the Speaker rules a prima facie breach of privilege has occurred then any Member may either immediately propose a motion or, by the conclusion of the next sitting day, give notice of a motion calling upon the Assembly to take action on the matter or refer the matter to a committee of the Assembly.
The 5th Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly will resume on Monday October 30, 2006 at 1:30 p.m.
For further information, please contact:
David Ramsay, MLA Kam Lake
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone: 867-669-2296 or toll-free: 1-800-661-0784
Email: david_ramsay@gov.nt.ca
October 26, 2006
First Reading of Bill to set fixed date for general elections
Bill 15 – Elections and Plebiscites Act
YELLOWKNIFE (October 26) – Bill 15, an Act to replace the Elections Act and the Plebiscites Act and to establish fixed dates for general elections, received Second Reading in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories today.
Kam Lake MLA David Ramsay introduced the Bill, which is in response to recommendations made by the Chief Electoral Officer in his report on the administration of the 2003 General Election tabled on May 31, 2004.
Other changes proposed by the Bill include new rules with respect to the definition of ordinary residence, specifically for those persons without a permanent dwelling place, incarcerated persons and students attending educational institutions. It also proposes changes to the use, placement, and display of election campaign signs and allows candidates to campaign inside multiple dwelling sites or apartment buildings. Additionally, the Bill proposes that a person whose name does not appear on the list of electors may establish their identity through personal acquaintance with an election official at the polling station.
Bill 15 will be debated in Committee of the Whole during the current session before going back to the House for Third and final reading. A copy of the Bill will be available on the Legislative Assembly’s Internet website at: www.assembly.gov.nt.ca.
For further information, please contact:
Glen McLean
Chief Electoral Officer
Elections NWT
Telephone: 867-920-6999
David Ramsay
MLA Kam Lake
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Telephone: 867-669-2296
October 23, 2006
MLA’s Recommend Kevin Menicoche for appointment to the Executive Council
YELLOWKNIFE (October 23) - Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly have voted to recommend the appointment of Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh, to the Executive Council.
Mr. Menicoche was chosen in a secret ballot election during the third meeting of the Territorial Leadership Committee held in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly this morning.
A motion will confirm the appointment when the 5th Session continues this afternoon. NWT Commissioner Anthony Whitford will formally swear in Mr. Menicoche as a Member of the Executive Council tomorrow, October 24, 2006. The ceremony will be held in the Chamber beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Menicoche was elected to the 15th Legislative Assembly in 2003 and has served as the Chair of the Accountability and Oversight Committee, a Member of the Governance and Economic Development Committee, the Board of Management, and as an alternate Member to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures and the Standing Committee on Social Programs.
Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Menicoche served for two years as a member of the Fort Simpson Village Council and for six years with the Liidlii Kue First Nation. Mr. Menicoche previously worked with Enbridge Pipelines Inc. for 17 years as the Senior Maintenance Technician and the Safety Officer.
For further information, please contact:
Kevin Menicoche, MLA Nahendeh
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone 867-669-2294
October 20, 2006
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