Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 17/98) - For the second time in as many weeks a NWT politician has said party politics at the territorial level should be talked about.

Citing division, the creation of a new constitution and the work of the electoral boundaries commission, Hay River MLA Jane Groenewegen (left) says it is a perfect time in the western NWT's history to consider adopting a party system in NWT politics.

"I think it's a real opportune time," she said.

"I sense there is quite a bit of discontent out there (with the current system)."

Groenewegen's comments follow those of city of Yellowknife Coun. Dave Ramsay who told the Yellowknifer it was time party politics came North.

Groenewegen says party politics would definitely boost the effectiveness of ordinary MLAs.

"I think one of the good things it (party politics) does is it keep the other side (government) on its toes," she said. "You wouldn't have one lone voice standing there... We (MLA's not in cabinet) lose a lot of our effectiveness due to our lack of organization (in the consensus system).

"I've discovered that David Krutko (MLA Mackenzie Delta) is a strong proponent of social issues... Well, so am I. Think of all the time we spent (since being elected) just learning that about each other."

A party system, she said, would allow voters and politicians to understand the broad ideological beliefs and stances candidates would have.

Groenewegen said she watches southern party politics with a keen interest and believes the NWT could learn from the good parts of that system.

"There is a certain adversarial part of it that wastes a lot of time and energy," she said. "However, I think that consensus is the flip-side of that. People present it in a feel good sort of way.

"You're going to give up something of that independence but what you're exchanging it for is a stronger, more effective voice."

She also believes western NWT residents should consider another issue: directly electing the premier.

Even without a party system, voters could vote for two sets of candidates, she said. You could scratch your ballot for the local MLA election and then mark another with your pick for premier.

"It would bring the people closer to the leadership," she said of a direct election for the NWT's highest office.

A conflict of interest inquiry into some of the activities of the current NWT Premier, Don Morin, is currently under way. Groenewegen laid the complaints now being investigated.