Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 02/99) - The territorial government is breathing a sigh of relief this week after being granted an extension to comply with the ruling in the electoral-boundaries case.

At a territorial court hearing Wednesday that turned out to be somewhat of a formality, Supreme Court Justice Mark de Weerdt extended the suspension of his ruling in the Friends of Democracy lawsuit by five months -- to Sept. 1.

Though the judge had ruled against the government March 5, concluding the territory's system of political representation to be unconstitutional and in need of revision, the government chose not to appeal the ruling but rather to ask for more time to comply with it.

The Yellowknife-based Friends of Democracy initially opposed any extension -- contending it would jeopardize a proposed Oct. 4 territorial election. But Deputy Justice Minister Don Cooper announced this week that legal counsel concluded holding the next election as late as June 2000, or realistically, next March, conforms with the NWT Act.

Friends president Robert Slaven was in court Wednesday and confirmed the group had dropped its objection to an extension after learning the election date was flexible.

"So long as the next election is fought on the basis of this ruling, that's fine," he said.

Meanwhile, making its way slowly through the house and before the Committee on Government Operations is Bill 15 -- legislation which proposes to comply with the ruling by altering boundaries and creating five new electoral districts for a total of 19 MLAs.

Committee chairman Yellowknife North MLA Roy Erasmus said Tuesday he was confident an extension would be granted and said consultation might take place.

"We're meeting later this week to talk about our options," he said Tuesday.

"The committee has 120 days to make its report and then we'll all have time to debate and pass the bill."

Slaven said Friends also has no apprehensions about the government's intention to consult with the public or possibly alter the Bill 15 solution, so long as it complies with de Weerdt's ruling.

"I've heard of a proposal for 15 MLAs, but ultimately the decision is up to the members," said Slaven. "Presumably if the committee is going to take 120 days to consult with the public, they're going to come up with an adequate solution and not one that results in a large amount of screaming."