December 6, 2007

Caucus of the 16th Legislative Assembly Observes National Day of Remembrance on Violence against Women

YELLOWKNIFE (December 6, 2007) - The nineteen Members of the Legislative Assembly began their Caucus deliberations today by observing one minute of silence to acknowledge the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. In 1991, Parliament established December 6 as a national day of remembrance to memorialize the fourteen women, all engineering students attending L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montréal, who were killed in the Montreal Massacre.

Caucus Chair Wendy Bisaro says, “My colleagues and I believe it important to remember the fourteen women who died in Montreal in 1989 and to acknowledge all women whose lives have been or continue to be touched by violence.”

Members of the 16th Assembly affirmed their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy toward violence by way of a unanimous motion adopting conduct guidelines that read, “As a legislator, I will do my best to fulfill my duties in the Legislature, the public, my constituents, and my colleagues with integrity and honour.” The full text of the conduct guidelines are available on the Legislative Assembly’s Internet website at www.assembly.gov.nt.ca.

For more information contact:

Wendy Bisaro, Caucus Chair
MLA Frame Lake
P: 867-669-2274
F: 867-873-0276
Email: wendy_Bisaro@gov.nt.ca

December 3, 2007

Legislative Assembly Recommends Appointments to the Human Rights Adjudication Panel

YELLOWKNIFE (December 3, 2007) – Members of the Legislative Assembly have recommended the appointments of Ms. Joan Mercredi, of Fort Smith, and Mr. Adrian Wright, of Yellowknife, to the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel. The four-year terms began on December 1, 2007.

The Human Rights Act of the Northwest Territories, Section 48(1), calls for the establishment of an Adjudication Panel composed of at least three persons appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly. The Human Rights Adjudication Panel is an independent tribunal with the authority to hear and decide cases in a fair and impartial manner. Cases may arise out of a complaint referred for hearing to determine the merits, or on an appeal arising from the dismissal of a complaint by the Director of the Human Rights Commission.

Ms. Joan Mercredi is a Métis lawyer born and raised in the NWT. She has been a member of the NWT Law Society for 14 years and is currently in private practice in Fort Smith. Ms. Mercredi served occasionally as the Fair Practices Officer for the GNWT in the 1990s and was legal counsel for the Nunavut government from 2001 to 2004, where her work included public consultations and implementation issues respecting the Nunavut Human Rights Act. Ms. Mercredi was appointed to the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel in October 2004 for a three-year term. Ms. Mercredi has also been contracted to the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat Canada as an independent adjudicator since November 2004.

Mr. Adrian Wright is a Yellowknife resident and member of the NWT Law Society since 1984. Mr. Wright’s private practice concentrates mainly on the areas of civil litigation and administrative law. He has acted as counsel in matters under the Fair Practices Act and the Human Rights Act, as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mr. Wright has specific arbitration training, has acted as counsel before many administrative tribunals, and has been involved in a variety of committees with the NWT Law Society and the Canadian Bar Association.

On behalf of the Legislative Assembly, Speaker Paul Delorey extended thanks to Ms. Shannon Gullberg, whose term as a member of the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel expired on October 31, 2007.

For further information contact:

Tim Mercer, Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
P: 867- 669-2299
F: 867-873-4735
Email: tim_mercer@gov.nt.ca


November 29, 2007

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure Calls for Answers to Deh Cho Bridge Questions

YELLOWKNIFE (November 29, 2007) – In a letter to the Premier of the Northwest Territories, the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure is demanding a response to its request for information pertaining to the Deh Cho Bridge concession agreement.

Committee Chair Dave Ramsay says, “The information the Committee is seeking from the Premier falls into three categories: transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.”

The letter sent to Premier Roland seeks an immediate response to the committee’s request for the following information:

1. A copy of the concession agreement;
2. A list of the incomplete schedules to the concession agreement and in general terms, the matters that they would address;
3. A copy of the most recent cost/benefit analysis, whether or not it still considered a draft;
4. An undertaking from the Premier that should the conditions precedent for the agreement not materialize (for example, if the Navigable Waters Permit is denied) the government will not take any further action on this project without first hearing from the Committee and the public; and
5. An undertaking from the Premier to have a formal policy and changes to the Financial Administration Act drafted to outline the process, including consultation requirements, for any Public Private Partnerships, or similar projects, that would commit the government to substantial operations spending in future years without requiring approval through the infrastructure acquisition plan.

Mr. Ramsay further states, “Committee Members are determined to ensure the process used to make multi-year, multi-million dollar decisions is inclusive of all Members, is in the best interest of Northerners, and is fiscally responsible.”

The mandate of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure is to review multi-year plans and budgets, review departmental performance, and to consider other matters with respect to the Departments of Transportation, Municipal and Community Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources, Public Works and Services, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

For further information contact:

Dave Ramsay, EDI Chair
MLA Kam Lake
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2296 or 1-800-661-0784

November 26, 2007

(Yellowknife) November 26, 2007 – Members of the Legislative Assembly are working towards establishing a strategic plan for the 16th Assembly. The 19-member Caucus dedicated four days to a priority-setting exercise that will result in a strategic plan to guide the Government of the Northwest Territories over the next four years.

Caucus Chair Wendy Bisaro says, “The Members are committed to starting the 16th Assembly with a clear statement articulating and reflecting issues common to Northerners. Once complete, the vision, goals and objectives will become the benchmark by which the activities of this Assembly are coordinated and measured over the next four years.”

The collaborative planning approach used by the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories is unique to consensus government. All elected Members participate in setting goals and priorities for the next four years as opposed to only those Members who occupy positions in cabinet. Once agreed upon, the vision, goals and objectives will guide the creation of a detailed strategic plan and the drafting of the first and subsequent budgets for the 16th Assembly.

“In past Assemblies the strategic plan was not completed until after the first budget was in place,” noted Ms. Bisaro. “This Assembly is committed to completing its strategic plan prior to introduction of the 2008/2009 budget. We only have four years to get our work done and we can’t afford to loose one of those years to planning.”

The Caucus has agreed to release its vision, goals and priorities to the public by mid-December. This document will then be used to craft a detailed strategic plan for the Government as a whole and guide the development of its first budget and the completion of a four-year business plan.

For more information, contact:

Wendy Bisaro, Caucus Chair
MLA Frame Lake
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2274
F: 867-873-0276
Email: wendy_bisaro@gov.nt.ca

Tim Mercer, Clerk

Legislative Assembly of the NWT

P:  867-669-2299

F:  867-920-4735
Email:  tim_mercer@gov.nt.ca



November 8, 2007

(Yellowknife) November 8, 2007 – The Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly has directed that $76,874 in allowances and benefits paid to former Tu Nedhe MLA Bobby Villeneuve during the 15^th Legislative Assembly be repaid.

In reaching its decision, the Board relied upon the conclusions of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Mr. Gerald Gerrand, Q.C., regarding a complaint filed against Mr. Villeneuve. The complaint, made by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Paul Delorey, in August 2007 alleged that Mr. Villeneuve swore an inaccurate Statutory Declaration of Residence for the purpose of obtaining payment of allowances and indemnities not otherwise available to him. Mr. Gerrand’s investigation came to the following conclusion:

My investigation indicates to me that the place of residence of Mr. Villeneuve is Yellowknife, that this has been his place of residence since he was elected, and that Statutory Declarations completed by Mr. Villeneuve indicating otherwise are not factually correct.

The Board also relied upon an independent audit initiated by the Legislative Assembly in July of 2007 that concluded that Mr. Villeneuve spent only 132 of a possible 1,316 days during the 15^th Legislative Assembly in his constituency.

“The Board of Management will act quickly to recover the allowances and benefits paid to Mr. Villeneuve,” stated Speaker Delorey. “Towards this end, entitlements such as Mr. Villeneuve’s transition allowance, valued at just over $29,000, will not be paid to him but rather set off against the debt now owed to the Legislative Assembly.”

The Legislative Assembly had previously recovered $10,106 from Mr. Villeneuve after he filed a revised Statutory Declaration of Residence in February 2007 indicating Yellowknife as his ordinary place of residence since October 2006. The remaining balance is now payable to the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“This decision demonstrates the Board of Management’s commitment to hold itself and all MLAs to the highest standards of public trust and accountability,” noted Speaker Delorey. “Members of the Legislative Assembly must always err on the side of maintaining public trust and confidence in the Assembly as an institution and of Members individually.”

For more information contact

Paul Delorey, Speaker
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2234 or 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0273
E: paul_delorey@gov.nt.ca

Tim Mercer, Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2299 or 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0432
Email: tim_mercer@gov.nt.ca


November 2, 2007

Board of Management considers report from Conflict of Interest Commissioner on complaint against former MLA

(Yellowknife) November 1, 2007 – The Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly yesterday considered a report of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Mr. Gerald Gerrand, Q.C., regarding a complaint filed against Bobby Villeneuve, the former Member for Tu Nedhe.

The complaint, made by the Honourable Paul Delorey, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on August 14, 2007, alleged that Mr. Villeneuve might have executed an inaccurate Statutory Declaration indicating his ordinary place of residence to be Fort Resolution, NT for the purposes of obtaining payment of allowances and indemnities that would not otherwise have been available to him.

In his report, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner concluded that, “My investigation indicates to me that the place of residence of Mr. Villeneuve is Yellowknife, that this has been his place of residence since he was elected, and that the Statutory Declarations completed by Mr. Villeneuve indicating otherwise are not factually correct."

The Conflict of Interest Commissioner went on to direct that an inquiry be held before a Sole Adjudicator with respect to the complaint.

Following submission of Mr. Gerrand's report to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, a general election was held in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Villeneuve was defeated at the poll and ceased to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly on October 1, 2007. As a result, the Board of Management has determined that a Sole Adjudicator no longer has jurisdiction to hold an inquiry into the matter.

The Board of Management is now in the process of examining its legal and administrative options given this development and in the context of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner's report and an earlier report prepared by the GNWT Audit Bureau in August of 2007 at the request of Speaker Delorey regarding the residency of MLA’s. The Audit Bureau report concluded that out of the 1,316 days that Mr. Villeneuve was a Member, he spent 862 days in Yellowknife and 132 days in Fort Resolution. During this time, Mr. Villeneuve received $86,980 in accommodation and other allowances based on his sworn residency in Fort Resolution.

"It is unfortunate that the Conflict of Interest process can not run its full course," commented Speaker Delorey following the Board's meeting in Yellowknife last night. "This being said, the Board now plans to closely examine Mr. Gerrand's findings and the findings of the Audit Bureau with respect to Mr. Villeneuve's residency. There is an onus on all people who hold public office to act in such a manner as to maintain public confidence and trust and not to use their offices for personal gain. The Board of Management has a number of avenues open to recover any funds that may have been inappropriately paid to Mr. Villeneuve and will move quickly to do so if deemed necessary.

The Board of Management will consider this matter again on Wednesday, November 7, 2007.

For more information contact:

Paul Delorey, Speaker
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2234 or 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0273

Tim Mercer, Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2299 or 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0432
Email: tim_mercer@gov.nt.ca


October 23, 2007

Members Revise Standing Committee Structure

(Yellowknife) October 23, 2007 – Members of the 16th Legislative Assembly began their new term in office by restructuring the Standing Committee configuration and immediately appointing the Committee Chairs-elect. A motion to adopt a new five-committee structure, a change from the previous four-committees, passed through the House on Friday, October 19, 2007. The motion is based upon a recommendation from the Regular Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly.

The Member for Hay River South, Jane Groenewegen, was elected by her peers to Chair the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning (SCOPP), which replaces the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. The new committee is comprised of the eleven Regular Members and the Member for Tu Nedhe, Tom Beaulieu, will serve as its Deputy Chair.

The Member for Kam Lake, David Ramsay, will Chair the five-Member Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure, which replaces the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development

The Member for Nahendeh, Kevin Menicoche, will Chair the new five-Member Standing Committee on Government Operations. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Robert C. McLeod, will Chair the five-Member Standing Committee on Social Programs. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Robert Hawkins will Chair the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, which is comprised of four Regular Members and one Member of the Executive Council.

A motion to ratify the committee appointments will be introduced during the November sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Committee Chairs are responsible for maintaining order in committee proceedings and ensuring that any rules established by the committee are respected. Committee Chairs often assume a leadership role in planning and coordinating the committee’s work and in conducting it’s investigations. Standing (or permanent) Committees carry out much of the detailed work of the Legislative Assembly. They perform a key role in the Consensus Government system as they ensure government accountability is maintained and that a balanced approach is applied to the decision-making process by giving Members, other than the Premier and Executive Council, an opportunity to review and report on the Government’s work, for example, departmental business plans, budgets and Bills.

For more information contact:

Jane Groenewegen, Chair
Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2292 or toll free 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0276
Email: jane_groenewegen@gov.nt.ca

Doug Schauerte, Deputy Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2277
F: 867-920-0432
Email: doug_schauerte@gov.nt.ca


October 17, 2007

Executive Council members selected by the 16th Legislative Assembly

(Yellowknife) October 17, 2007 - Members of the 16th Legislative Assembly have chosen the six Members who, in concert with Premier-elect Floyd Roland, will form the Executive Council of the Northwest Territories. The Territorial Leadership Committee held the vote in the Assembly Chamber earlier today.

The following Members, once formally sworn-in at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2007, will join Premier-elect Floyd Roland:

Mr. Jackson Lafferty, MLA Monfwi
Mr. Norman Yakeleya, MLA Sahtu
Ms. Sandy Lee, MLA Range Lake
Mr. Bob McLeod, MLA Weledeh
Mr. Michael McLeod, MLA Deh Cho
Mr. Miltenberger, MLA Thebacha

The Executive Council selection process followed the established practice whereby a regional balance was maintained by selecting two Members from the northern constituencies, two from southern constituencies, and two from Yellowknife.

Formal motions to ratify the appointments to the Executive Council will be brought forward when the 16th Legislative Assembly convenes on Thursday, October 18, at 1:30 p.m. The Premier will assign cabinet portfolios at a later date.

For more information contact:

Patricia Russell
Principal Clerk – Standing and Special Committees
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2230 or Toll Free: 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0222 (867) 920-4735
E: patricia_russell@gov.nt.ca



October 17, 2007

Floyd Roland, MLA Inuvik Boot Lake, chosen as the Northwest Territories
Premier-elect

(Yellowknife) October 17, 2007 – The Members of the 16th Legislative Assembly have selected Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland as the Northwest Territories Premier-elect. The Territorial Leadership Committee held the vote in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly today. A formal motion to ratify the selection will be brought forward when the 16th Legislative Assembly convenes on Thursday, October 18, at 1:30 p.m.

This is Mr. Roland’s fourth term as the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake having been first elected in 1995, returned to the House in 1999 and 2003, and then acclaimed on October 1, 2007.

During his tenure as a Member of the 15th Legislative Assembly, Mr. Roland served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board, Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister of Public Works and Services, Minister of Human Resources, and Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board.

As a Member of the 14th Assembly, Mr. Roland served as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development, and as Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. During the 13th Assembly, Mr. Roland served on the Standing Committee on Social Programs, as the Minister of Health and Social Services, and the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Mr. Roland served on the Inuvik Town Council for three years, including a term as the Deputy Mayor from 1994 to 1995. He was Chairman of the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee from June 1994 to October 1995, and President of the Western Arctic Tourism Association. Mr. Roland has been actively involved with hockey in Inuvik, both as a minor league coach and as a player.

Mr. Roland and his wife Shawna have six children: Courtney, Austin, Justin, Quincey, Samuel, and Mitchell.
Contact:

Patricia Russell
Principal Clerk – Standing and Special Committees
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest NWT
P: 867-669-2230 or Toll Free: 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0222
E: patricia_russell@gov.nt.ca


October 12, 2007


Process for the Territorial Leadership Committee confirmed


(Yellowknife) October 12, 2007 – Members-elect of the 16th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories have confirmed the process to be used to elect the Speaker, Premier, and Executive Council during the Territorial Leadership Committee (TLC) meetings being held next week in Yellowknife.

The Caucus of 19 Members-elect have agreed that the first order of business at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 will be the election of the Speaker. The process to be used is changed in that candidates for the Speaker’s position will have five minutes to deliver a speech to Members of the Assembly regarding their suitability for the role of Speaker. After the speeches have concluded, a secret ballot vote will be held, and the results released. Once the Speaker-elect has been chosen, he/she will Chair the Territorial Leadership Committee meeting.

The TLC will re-convene on Wednesday, October 17 at 9:00 a.m. to elect the Premier from among the 18 remaining Members. Each candidate nominated for Premier will be given 20 minutes to deliver a speech and will answer a maximum of two questions from each Member.

The Executive Council selection process will follow past practise whereby a total of six Ministers will be chosen. The regional balance of two Ministers from the northern constituencies, two from southern constituencies, and two from Yellowknife will be maintained.

The public is invited to observe the Territorial Leadership Committee meetings, which will be held in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly building. Formal motions to ratify the TLC selections will be brought forward when the 16th Legislative Assembly convenes on Thursday, October 18, at 1:30 p.m.

For further information contact:

Tim Mercer, Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2299 or 1-800-661-0784
Email: tim_mercer@gov.nt.ca

All Members-elect
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2200 or 1-800-661-0784 

 
October 12, 2007
 

Hay River South MLA-elect offers condolence on the death of RCMP Constable Christopher Worden
 

(Yellowknife) October 12, 2007 – Hay River South MLA-elect Jane Groenewegen will extend condolences to the Worden family on behalf of Hay River residents and on behalf of Northerners at his funeral service in Ottawa on Monday.

Mrs. Groenewegen says, “Residents in the town of Hay River and across the North appreciate so much the willingness of RCMP Members, like Constable Worden, who come to the North to serve and protect our community. Constable Worden personified that commitment and high standard of dedication. He was one of us. We have lost a very special individual in a senseless act of violence and the members of our community will feel this tragic event for many years.”

Mrs. Groenewegen adds, “To honour Constable Worden’s memory, we will come together to address the circumstances that brought this element of activity to our community. We need to find more ways to support our RCMP Members. We must ensure they have the necessary resources to respond to the realities and volume of this work.”

Almost a week has passed and more details of the tragic loss of an RCMP Member in Hay River have come to light. The timing of Constable Christopher Worden’s death, at the onset of a long weekend, when media outlets were closed and many people were out of town, resulted in a delay of people becoming aware of what had occurred. As information came forth, a sense of shock and disbelief set in.

Since then, there has been opportunity for expressions of condolence and support for the local RCMP detachment and for the RCMP as an institution of stability and pride in our country and, most pointedly, the profound sense of loss for Constable Worden’s family, his wife Jodi and daughter Alexis.

Mrs Groenewegen says, “We will also undertake to find specific ways to honour Chris’ memory in the days ahead.”

For further information contact:

Jane Groenewegen
Member-elect Hay River South 
Phone - 867-669-2200 or 1-800-661-0784