SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Bob McLeod and Glen Abernethy, both representing Yellowknife electoral districts, stood in the legislative assembly Wednesday to speak about what they would do as the next premier.

Yellowknife South MLA Bob McLeod speaks in the assembly Wednesday seeking to regain the premier's office. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy stands to give his pitch to other MLAs for the premier's job in the legislative assembly Wednesday. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo

They're the only candidates now vying for the support of their 17 peers ahead of the secret ballot vote next week.

About two dozen people, including former NWT commissioner Tony Whitford, former premier Joe Handley and former MLAs Wendy Bisaro and Robert Bouchard, watched from the public gallery.

The race will see former cabinet colleagues in the last government go up against each other.

Abernethy, MLA for Great Slave who served as health minister under McLeod, built his candidacy on change.

"We can and we must do things differently," Abernethy strongly emphasized at the end of his speech.

McLeod, MLA for Yellowknife South, is striving for a second term in the top job.

"My message today is built on my experience and our past efforts," McLeod said.

No Yellowknife MLAs Yellowknifer spoke to after the two speeches offered an indication of which of the two they may support.

They first wanted to get input on the choice from constituents ahead of the Dec. 16 vote.

"There will be all kinds of feedback to collect and get an understanding of to help me make my decision," said Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne.

With both candidates from Yellowknife, the city will once again be represented in the premier's office.

There's been a tendency to switch between a premier from the city to a premier from a district outside the city.

Tim Mercer, clerk of the legislative assembly, said MLAs have again agreed cabinet will be composed of two city MLAs, two MLAs from the southern part of the territory and two from the northern part of the territory in addition to the premier. That means there could be three city representatives in cabinet.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green, speaking about how both candidates are from the city, said McLeod's upbringing in Fort Providence and connections outside the city could benefit him.

"I am frankly surprised that the smaller-community members - that is, not from Yellowknife - didn't field a candidate of their own but I guess they didn't feel they had the support or interest," said Green. "The names that had been discussed as potential candidates evaporated."

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Tom Beaulieu, who had said he was considering a run, decided not to based on feedback from people in his district and MLAs changing the nomination process.

"I just felt I didn't have enough time to weigh all my options and not enough time to talk thoroughly to my constituents so I thought this time I'll stand aside and see what comes out," he said Wednesday.

Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart said during the election he'd only support someone for cabinet if they supported his policy positions and financial commitments.

Testart said he now plans to meet with both candidates to see whether they will agree. If both agree, he said he'll have a tougher choice.

If neither agree, he said he may abstain from voting for premier.

Both candidates spoke about working more closely with regular members and increasing transparency of government decisions.

In McLeod's nearly 2,600 word speech, he highlighted his aboriginal upbringing in Fort Providence and how he helmed the government that finalized devolution.

Though part of his past year as premier was dogged by tension with Dehcho First Nations over its land claim negotiations, he said he was proud of steps the government took to strengthen its relationship with aboriginal and other Northern governments.

McLeod said the next government has to work on troubling social challenges that need urgent attention including population migration rates, the high cost of living, plus energy and stalled resource investments.

The assembly must make better, more transparent policy decisions with less politicking, he said.

Abernethy said in his 2,500 word speech the new government must address the rising cost of living, contain government spending, provide more certainty regarding the regulatory process, provide better education and tackle homelessness, among other things.

Abernethy committed to "immediately" meet with Dehcho and Akaitcho First Nations governments to create a plan to move land claim negotiations forward.

He said the government may need to take on short-term debt to support industries such as biomass production, environmentally responsible energy production, agriculture, arts and culture, fishing and tourism. Yet he also said the GNWT no longer has the financial means to do business as usual.

"Transparency and openness" would be a requirement for Abernethy's ministers.

MLAs will publicly debate Monday at the assembly what they believe should be the priorities of the next government.

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