November 19, 2015

Ledge Talks: Consensus Government in Transition: The Next 100 Days

(YELLOWKNIFE)  – The Legislative Library is pleased to present Consensus Government in Transition: The Next 100 Days, the latest edition of Ledge Talks: The Knowledge Series, to be held on November 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly building.

 

The NWT’s consensus system is unique in Canada, with only a close relative in Nunavut. Through precedent and evolution, our system has its own mechanisms for accountability and transition from government to government.

Tim Mercer and David Brock will share their inside experience of the evolution of consensus government, describing how power changes hands when the NWT government changes, how priorities are set, how leaders are chosen, and how the consensus system evolves to meet new times and demands.

Mr. Mercer has been Clerk of the Legislative Assembly since 2003. As the senior official in the legislative branch, he advises and supports the Speaker and all Members of the Legislative Assembly on matters of parliamentary procedure, governance and transition. Having coordinated three transitions between Assemblies, with a fourth in progress, Mr. Mercer has worked with Members on the cutting edge of changes to strengthen the consensus system of government.

Mr. Brock was recently appointed as Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Priorities and Planning. Immediately prior, he served as secretary to the 17th Assembly’s Special Committee on Transition Matters, and secretary to the Deputy Ministers’ Transition Committee. Mr. Brock has worked as a civil servant in Yellowknife, Iqaluit, and Ottawa on public policy, intergovernmental relations, and election administration.

There will be time for questions and discussion following the presentation. Media and the public are welcome.

The proceedings will be webcast via the Legislative Assembly website: www.assembly.gov.nt.ca

Ledge Talks: The Knowledge Series is a forum for a wide variety of speakers to present current ideas, science, traditional knowledge, and issues relevant to the Northwest Territories and beyond.  Ledge Talks will also showcase research done by the many GNWT employees – often with collaborating partners – who are making substantial contributions to the world’s understanding of the North.

For more information, please contact: 

Lee Selleck, Director of Research, Library and Information Services
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-767-9132 x12050 or toll-free 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-920-4735
E: lee_selleck@gov.nt.ca