Yellowknife (Jul 03/06) - MLAs' absences add up to weeks' worth of paid days-off. But the politicians aren't punished for the truancy.

The person who takes attendance, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Tim Mercer, said publicizing attendance records is the best way to deal with MLAs not showing up, according to an independent commission.

MLA absences: Bobby Villeneuve, MLA Tu Nehde; 34 absences from the legislative assembly and committee meetings. Norman Yakeleya, MLA Sahtu; 28 absences. Jackson Lafferty, MLA Monfwi; 22 absences. Of the 19 MLAs, these three have the worst attendance records for the past fiscal year, ending March 31, 2006. But the double digit absenteeism doesn't end there. Twin Lakes MLA Robert McLeod was missing in action on 18 occasions, MLA Nanukput Calvin Pokiak opted out of 17 legislative sessions and/or meetings and Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen was marked absent 16 times.

"(They) said it's very difficult to police these things and that ultimately members should be accountable to the people who elected them," said Mercer. "And by reporting the attendance levels and with stories you're writing, the constituents can see and decide for themselves."

To put things in perspective, a member sitting on the Board of Management (BM), Standing Committees for Accountability and Oversight (AOC), Governance and Economic Development (GED), Rules and Procedures (RP) and Social Programs (SP), would attend a total of 181 meetings including 40 sittings of the legislature.

Bobby Villeneuve, MLA Tu Nehde has chalked up 34 absences, giving him a 76 per cant attendance record in the legislative assembly and committee meetings.

He sat on the AOC, SP and was deputy chair of the GED, which involved 142 appearances, including the 40 house sessions.

In the legislative assembly's last session, a bill to amend the Executive Council Act was passed, repealing deductions for members for each meeting session members missed.

Despite that truancy deterrent on the Northwest Territories law books, Mercer noted that no member has ever had his or her wages garnished and the Board of Management has never deemed an excuse for being away as unacceptable.

Acceptable excuses include personal reasons, illness, injury or bereavement, or duty as a member, minister, premier or speaker.

"Quite often, there are many places members have to be in the conduct of their duty and just because they're not at these meetings and sessions doesn't mean they're not doing their job," Mercer added.

Speaker of the House Paul Delorey says that without a party whip, it's hard to force members to show up.

"It's not like party politics where you have a party whip and if you're missing too many meetings or not pulling your weight, they have a way of dealing with you, getting you to toe the line," he said.

With party politics, the "whip" has the job of ensuring other members attend sessions and meetings and vote as the party desires.

Like Mercer, Delorey thinks the best way to hold members accountable to constituents is to keep and publicize attendance records.

"I've put a lot of importance on being present. I did miss a few because my brother passed away," Delorey added. "I do think a member has to be aware that part of the job of being an MLA is to do the committee work and obviously if they're not there to carry their load the onus is falling on the remaining members."

Merril Dean, principal of Weledeh Catholic school, says good attendance is not only key to a good education but also what unlocks funding.

"Anything less than 80 per cent attendance and we don't get funded for those students," explained Dean of the territorial government's school funding policy.

Apart from the money issue, the Weledeh principal emphasizes the importance of showing up.

"For me as an educator, anything under 90 per cent (attendance) is going to hinder your learning," said Dean.

"In 200 days of school, 10 per cent is 20 days and that for me is a lot of missed days of school."