Yellowknife (July 07/03) - MLAs are defending consensus government after a group of business people launched a bid to bring party politics to the next territorial election.

Joe Handley - NNSL File Photo

"I think it's early too begin to talk party politics in NWT," said Joe Handley, minister of finance and Weledeh MLA.

"It could work in larger centres but when we come to smaller communities there are other issues that don't fall along party lines."

A group of about 25 business people met last week to discuss forming a party and running candidates in the November election.

Dave McPherson, president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and a member of the group, said last week the only reason the consensus system survives is that those on the outside "don't know how to change the system, and the people inside are quite happy with it."

McPherson is right when saying the people inside are happy with the system, but the MLAs say it's because consensus can and should work here.

"The system may be slow but it seems to be accepted. The consensus method is very unique and fairly effective," said Steven Nitah, Tu Nedhe MLA.

He sees a day when party politics could come to the NWT, but it's not on his agenda.

Consensus works

David Krutko, Mackenzie Delta MLA, said a there is no reason to change the system.

"I think consensus government should work for a population of 40,000. We should be able to meet the needs and be flexible and be able to work together," he said.

A number of MLAS pointed to the Yukon as an example of what party politics can do to sparsely populated areas.

Bill Braden, Great Slave MLA, said he saw first hand the effects party politics when he lived in the Yukon.

"It polarized the territory along the traditional federal lines. Even after 20 years they are having difficulties sorting out partisanship," he said.

Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell said party politics has created "a real urban and rural divide with Whitehorse and the rest of the territory."

Bell said that many federal MPs are dissatisfied with political parties.

"I have had the chance to talk to backbench Liberal MPs who are totally dissatisfied, who are forced to toe the party lines and have concerns with by-partisanship," he said.

While the MLAs feel consensus works, Bell and Braden say it's not without problems.

"I don't believe it's broken, but there is a gap between the voter and who the leader is," Braden said in a reference to the practice of MLAs choosing the government leader.

Although he won't support a change to party politics, Braden said he "endorses the fact that they are bringing ideas. I respect anyone who has the conviction to say they want change to happen."