Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 20/99) - The impending Supreme Court suit over NWT electoral boundaries raises fundamental questions about the nature of Canadian democracy. At issue is at what point do numbers outweigh political and cultural considerations.

The Yellowknife-based Friends of Democracy is challenging the government for overturning a committee recommendation that Yellowknife receive two additional seats in the legislature.

Speaking before Friday's court session at which the March 1 to 3 hearing dates were set, Friends' vice-president Bob MacQuarrie said he understands the need for flexibility in determining constituencies.

"In Canada there is this tradition of taking into account geography and community of interest among other kinds of factors, so there has been a bit of leeway," he said. "But in recent years and particularly since the (1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) there have been some groups in other provinces who've said to the courts, 'Come on, a bit of leeway is fine, but don't overdo it.'"

MacQuarrie said one riding in Yellowknife is eight times larger that some community ridings. He said Friends plans to cite precedents in court, such as a B.C. ruling that ridings not vary in size more than 25 percent.

"So let's say that's the basic way of determining constituencies and then modify it, certainly," he said, "but modify it rationally and justify the modification riding by riding and not beyond a certain amount."

A retired principal and former MLA for Yellowknife Centre, MacQuarrie said it was as an advocate of aboriginal rights that he entered politics in 1979. But he said he's been disappointed with self-government, preferring that all groups work together within one system.

"Now that they've gone their own way (with Nunavut), I think we should have a pretty regular kind of government here with equal representation," he said.

Clem Paul, president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, one of the aboriginal groups granted intervenor status in the hearing, stressed that the NWT's situation can't be compared with that of the provinces.

"There are so many diverse people and history, distinct languages and cultures here, you can't handle it like you would Edmonton and Red Deer," he said.

Paul, a Yellowknifer for 42 years, said he also supports the government's position because he feels the capital is already adequately represented and enjoys levels of service far beyond that of most communities.

"If we become ill, within 10 minutes we can see six doctors, but it would take my grandchildren three days to see a doctor and two weeks to see a dentist."

Paul has no patience for the argument that rural dwellers must relocate if they want access to better service.

"That's a colonial way of looking at the situation -- that it would be so much easier if the people living in Fort Smith wanted to live in Yellowknife," he said. "I'm a Yellowknifer, but I'm also a realist."