Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 30/02) - Premier Stephen Kakfwi's head won't leave the legislature on a platter after he survived a crucial vote on his leadership by a substantial margin.

Surrounded by reporters, Finance Minister Joe Handley said he doesn't think calling an early election is a good idea as it will shift the government's attention from projects it is currently engaged in. - Merle Robillard/NNSL photo 'Admit errors' and get back to business Spectators packed into the visitor's gallery at the legislative assembly on Monday to watch their MLAs bicker and vote on keeping Stephen Kakfwi as premier. Among their ranks was Karen Hoeft of the Salvation Army, an outspoken defender of social issues and a regular face in the visitor's gallery. Hoeft says debate on Kakfwi's leadership is necessary. But she hopes it won't continue too long, and wishes for "a system where somebody could, way back in the beginning, admit that errors were made and be honest enough to say that." "Many times we get stuck on litigation and court systems, and maybe what it's really about is: Do people have places to sleep tonight, and do people have food to eat, and are our communities going to get healthy?"

Only five MLAs -- Brendan Bell, Paul Delorey, Charles Dent, Leon Lafferty and Floyd Roland -- supported a motion to demand the premier's resignation. Cabinet voted as a block against the motion, with the support of regular MLAs Bill Braden, Jane Groenewegen, Sandy Lee, and Michael McLeod.

The defeated motion would have ended a debate that has split the legislature over the last few days. However, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland fanned the flames back to life when he announced he will ask members Wednesday for their support on a vote to dissolve the legislature on Jan. 31, 2003, clearing the way for an vote on Feb. 28.

"By accepting what's happened and not doing anything, we're condoning it," he said. "That's a big mistake as a government, and I think we have to get a new mandate."

The 14th assembly's mandate ends in November, 2003.

MLAs started calling for Kakfwi's resignation after federal auditor general Sheila Fraser released a report last week accusing the territorial government of paying $250,000 too much in severance pay to the premier's former chief of staff Lynda Sorensen and $6,000 extra to John Bayly, the former principal secretary to the premier.

Both left the government after a conflict of interest saga that started last October and ultimately led to former health minister Jane Groenewegen being dropped from cabinet.

In the legislature, indications are that the vote on an early election will fall along virtually identical lines as Monday's vote. Even so, the numbers reflect a shrinking support base for Kakfwi, who coasted through a confidence vote last fall by a 13-1 margin.

Kakfwi led the debate with an admission of guilt, of sorts, saying he accepted the auditor general's findings and promising to adhere to the letter of the law in the future.

"I want to work with every one of you, in spite of our differences," he told MLAs. "Leave our differences behind so we can get on with the business of governing this territory."

Kakfwi refused to speak with reporters.

Finance Minister Joe Handley, who on Friday insinuated support for an early dissolution of the legislature, back-peddled from those comments on Monday.

"If you're not going to take out the premier, then let's carry on and finish up this government's term," he said, then suggested the government could change its rules to, for example, only allow up to 18 months severance pay instead of the current 24.

"What we have to do is look forward now, and how do we make our policies and our procedures foolproof, so this can't happen again."

Despite the premier's reconciliatory tone, some members stridently reiterated their stands against the government.

"They (Ottawa) think we are a banana republic," said Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell, questioning Kakfwi's ability to petition for federal funds. "They think that this is run under third world conditions and patronage and these other kinds of things run wild."

Others warned of a bitterly ineffective year of territorial governance to come.

"I can guarantee you we no longer have consensus government here," said Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey. "We no longer have consensus on anything ... It's going to be an impossible situation."