SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The legislative assemblies of the NWT and Nunavut want their proceedings to be included on all satellite and cable television services.

Paul Delorey: legislative assembly proceedings on satellite TV would bring government closer to the people. - NNSL file photo

On Sept. 1, the legislatures made a joint submission to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) asking for their proceedings to be granted must-carry status.

Tim Mercer, the clerk of the NWT legislative assembly, said the main goal is satellite TV, since many Northerners use satellite service.

"Our estimate is we're not even reaching half of the population right now," he said.

Mercer said the two satellite services - Star Choice and ExpressVu - have Northern feeds to which the legislative proceedings could be added.

On July 6, the CRTC issued a notice of hearing to consider licensing issues for conventional television and discretionary services.

The hearing is set for November in Ottawa.

One of the issues to be addressed at the hearing is how broadcasters can adopt concrete and measurable commitments to the production, programming and airing of local content.

The submission from the NWT and Nunavut recommends the definition of local programming be clarified to include legislative proceedings in the two territories as a 'must-carry' service on satellite and cable.

Paul Delorey, the speaker of the NWT legislative assembly, said must-carry status would help efforts to get proceedings to every home in the territory.

"It's all geared to bring the government close to the people, right into people's homes," Delorey said, adding there definitely is a demand from people.

James Arreak, the speaker of the Nunavut legislature, said in a news release that broadcasting the proceedings of Northern legislatures can be an important tool to assert Canada's Arctic sovereignty.

Currently, the proceedings of the NWT legislature are available on television in all but three communities - Dettah, Enterprise and Fort Good Hope.

Mercer said those services are provided through a variety of means, such as arrangements with community broadcasting societies and private cable providers.

The GNWT also has its own broadcasting system - a satellite feed is sent to transmitters in communities and the proceedings are broadcast over the airwaves.

Mercer said the three communities without TV access to legislative proceedings don't have the necessary equipment, but added the issue is being addressed.

In addition to television, the assembly's proceedings are broadcast on CKLB radio.