INUVIK
Both of Inuvik's MLAs are in cabinet. But what does that get Inuvik?

Jozef Carnogursky, president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council, says the GNWT needs to remember there is life outside of Yellowknife. - NNSL file photos

That's a question both Jozef Carnogursky, president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council, and Joe Lavoie, town councillor and business person, are wondering.

"Having two ministers from Inuvik, the question is, is that a good thing?" asked Carnogursky.

"Sometimes it can be, but when you're going through budget cuts and processes like we're going through now, you don't really have anybody that can advocate for you publicly because of the government-cabinet solidarity issue."

Robert C. McLeod, Twin Lakes MLA, is minister of Finance, Deputy Premier and minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Alfred Moses, Boot Lake MLA, is minister of Education, Culture and Employment and minister responsible for youth.

Under consensus government, members are elected to the legislative assembly as independents who then elect their peers to cabinet. The premier determines the specific positions of the people elected to cabinet.

The idea is that regular members, who outnumber members of cabinet, hold the balance of power in the legislative assembly, and there would be more communication between members of government than in a traditional party politics system.

Critics worry that members of cabinet no longer represent their constituents' interests, as they become now part of the ruling government.

Lavoie said he has had doubts about consensus government for a long time.

"I believe consensus government has run its course in the territory," he said. "It's good in theory, like I suppose all political systems are, but we don't have the opposition that's calling the government to task. Yes, you have your ordinary members who are sitting outside of cabinet, but most of their goal is to get inside cabinet."

That means they don't bring issues to the fore with as much enthusiasm as they might if they were in a position of official opposition.

Today, both Carnogursky and Lavoie find few outlets to bring up concerns about GNWT jobs leaving Inuvik, particularly in the justice sector.

"The government comes out with a statement, a policy, an action they're going to take .(and) because they are in cabinet, if you disagree with what has been said or proposed, there's very little alternative in regards to at least going to your MLA," said Lavoie.

"Yes, you can maybe voice it, but it seems like there's not much they can do because the decision has already been made and they have to stand by cabinet decision."

A lot of grumbling

Lavoie has heard a lot of grumbling in the community about losing court employees.

"That has a fairly big impact on the town," he said.

With devolution resembling centralization in some ways, now is a time Inuvik needs representation on the territorial level, he said.

"We were under the impression more jobs were coming to the region, not jobs being taken away from the regional communities and reestablished in Yellowknife," said Lavoie.

Carnogursky said it's very difficult to get jobs back to regional centres once they're cut and moved to Yellowknife.

"Some of our past leaders and MLAs really fought hard to keep some of those jobs localized," he said. "There is life outside of Yellowknife and people need to remember that."

Asked if Inuvik is helped at all by having its MLAs in cabinet, Lavoie paused and said he doesn't think so.

"Maybe I'm wrong," he said. "Maybe there's a lot more out there than I've seen, and in fairness to our MLAs there might be a lot more things happening that I'm not conscientious about or aware of and maybe by having our MLAs as ministers we have been getting some benefit. I just haven't seen it at this particular juncture."

If everything gets centralized to Yellowknife, the regions will eventually die, he said.

Raise those issues

McLeod, for his part, says being in cabinet might take away his ability to stand up in the house during session and raise issues, but he can still raise those issues meeting with ministers individually.

"It limits our ability to raise questions in the house, but it doesn't limit our ability to raise issues with particular departments," he said.

He said he doesn't necessarily agree with the concern that members are not enthusiastic to criticize the government because they are also playing for a cabinet position.

McLeod supports the consensus system of government.

"I like the consensus government system because you're elected based on what you bring to the table and not what your party line is," he said.

He said governments in party systems often have majorities, meaning they can push through budgets and legislation by strength of numbers. With consensus government, all members get to have input on government proposals.

"I think Inuvik is well-represented in the legislative assembly," said McLeod.

"Every four years you're held accountable for the work you've done the previous four years, and if you're not doing what you were elected to do, then you obviously won't be elected again."

Moses agreed his position in cabinet does not affect his ability to raise constituents' concerns.

"I just send them an e-mail, walk down the hall or give them a call on their cell phone and let them know what the concerns are," said Moses about speaking with other cabinet members, adding that any concerns brought to him are sent straight away to the appropriate department.

"You just don't see it played out in the house. A lot of it is done by e-mail, by phone call."

He also thinks consensus government works.

"I think it provides the opportunity for all individuals and all regular members to voice their concerns without having to be aligned with any kind of mandate," he said.

Asked about jobs being lost in Inuvik, Moses pointed to jobs gained in building East Three School and the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk highway, as well as hiring by the Department of Health.

He indicated the perception of centralization to Yellowknife is not borne out in reality, and that jobs have been going to the communities in the big picture.

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