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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The ministerial committee in charge of the government's ambitious board merger plan has two members from the other side of the floor - Dave Ramsay and Tom Beaulieu - who do not support its proposals so far.

Ramsay, MLA for Kam Lake, said he can't support a "superboard" in Yellowknife with what he has seen so far from government plans.

"It's something in principle that I can't support right now because I have yet to see the proof that it is a good thing," said Ramsay. "Until I see the evidence, I don't want to put my stamp of approval on anything."

Ramsay and Beaulieu, MLA for Tu Nedhe - chairs of the economic development and infrastructure and social programs committees - were given a seat on the restructuring government committee more than a month ago and have attended only one meeting so far, on Oct. 22.

Ramsay has been vocal in his displeasure with the way the government has put out the merger plan, even though he has been part of the committee in charge of it for more than a month.

"If I see something I don't like, I'm still a regular member and I'm entitled to my opinion," he said.

Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Bob McLeod, MLA for Yellowknife South, spoke about the board merger plans last Thursday. McLeod, who is on the committee, said before the election he heard concerns from constituents about there being too many boards in the NWT.

McLeod did not say whether he supported the merger or not, and said "it's in the early days."

He said he would listen to concerns from constituents and raise their issues, but was hand-tied with what he could say publicly about the merger plan.

"I mean that's the way the process works. Constituents raise issues. I raise them as well, but in my situation obviously, I have to take the government line," he said.

In a letter sent to Yellowknife Education District No. 1, Sandy Lee wrote that she was on the committee.

Brad Poulter, spokesperson for cabinet, said all ministers can sit in on committee meetings if it pertains to their portfolios but said Lee is not officially on the committee.

The refocusing government committee was formed during Floyd Roland's June budget, when the premier was finance minister. Michael Miltenberger, lead minister of the committee, announced in October the government's plan to merge housing, education and health boards across the territory into six regional boards.

Before cabinet gave regular MLAs two seats on the refocusing government committee, the committee had been strictly reserved for cabinet ministers. Regular MLAs have consistently complained about a lack of consultation and inclusion in decision-making since the budget came out in June.

Ramsay said he is happy to have a seat on the committee if he can have some meaningful input into the process.

"We are going to be at the table and we are going to have some input into the process as it goes along. That's good as long as they listen to us and take our concerns seriously," he said.

"It bodes well for consensus government."

Ramsay said he hoped it wasn't too late to add ideas and that all the decisions had not already been made.

"That's my fear," he said.

Beaulieu said he will probably not stay on the committee if his opinions are not being heard.

"My feeling is that if we walk in there and all the decisions are made and we are not valuable, then me and Dave would probably get off the refocusing committee," he said.

"I do feel the ministers heading this are genuine and they want our input and they will value our input," he added.

Glen Abernethy, MLA for Great Slave, said Ramsay and Beaulieu were getting in after a lot of the concepts had been laid out, but was optimistic they would have input.

"I believe they are listening to communities and they will take forward the address of the MLAs and constituencies," he said.

Both MLAs - although on the committee - have their reservations about the board merger plan, and haven't seen enough information yet.

"It's not a done deal yet," said Ramsay, adding that regional differences have to be considered.

"All regions aren't created equally," he said, adding there are challenges and circumstances in each and every area that are unique. "In Yellowknife it would be a big, big change."

Beaulieu said he believed some board reform was needed but didn't know if going from 70 to seven was correct.

"It's gone from one extreme to another and I think the answer is right in the middle," he said.

- with files from Andrew Livingstone