by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 12/98) - The NWT Association of Municipalities was told it is welcome to a say, but not a vote, by the group developing the western NWT's new constitution.

"The Association of Municipalities has the same opportunity to participate as any group in the West," noted constitutional working group member James Wah Shee.

"What I hear is the association wants a greater degree of participation than other groups," said Wah Shee, adding that it is something he did not support.

The association currently has a non-voting seat on the working group.

Association representative Bob Brooks argued the association would provide the working group with input from the grassroots level.

"We deal with people on a daily basis, we have more interaction with them (than MLAs)," said Brooks.

"This would be the only group that brings a local perspective."

Brooks reminded the group that at the 1995 constitutional conference in Yellowknife there was a call among participants for more community involvement.

"This would be one way to do that," said Brooks.

Brooks also said he feels that because the association's members, all elected members of hamlet, town and city councils, represent all people of the western NWT, it would not upset the balance between aboriginal government and public government on the working group.

The working group's co-chair disagreed.

"Some members feel we're outnumbered here already, 6-4," said George Kurszewski.

"It's stretching it too much to say hamlet councils have a mandate from communities, including Dene bands and Metis locals, to do constitutional development," added Kurszewski.

He and other members pointed out that voting does not play a big role in the business of the group. Instead, it relies more on establishing a consensus.

Member Charles Dent, the MLA for Yellowknife-Frame Lake, said giving the association voting status could well be the thin edge of a wedge that could lead to the group becoming unwieldy.

Two women's organizations, the NWT Status of Women Council and NWT Native Women's Association, requested and were declined voting status, noted member Jane Groenewegen, Hay River's MLA.

The only support Brooks received came from Yellowknife Centre MLA Jake Ootes, who regularly sits as an observer at the meetings.

"I am of the opinion it can't help but be a positive move," said Ootes. "If we get their enthusiastic participation as a voting member ... I think (the constitution) would be more saleable."