Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 15/00) - How much time should it take for MLAs to come up with a list of nominees for the next commissioner and deputy-commissioner of the NWT?

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (DIAND) says it should take no more than 24 hours and territorial MLAs are saying that's not nearly enough time.

"It's very aggravating that the federal government, which will never ever respond quickly, drops this on us with no notice, no chance to consult," said Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger.

"They had obviously made up their mind about a whole bunch of things in terms of the commissioner."

Premier Stephen Kakfwi received a letter requesting nominees from DIAND minister Robert Nault's office on Feb. 22. Nault wanted nominees by the next day.

The letter was promptly forwarded to all MLAs.

The commissioner is appointed by the prime minister, on recommendations from the DIAND minister. Typically, regular MLAs and cabinet ministers get together to select two nominees.

"It was basically 24 hours that we got," said caucus chairman Bill Braden. "That's quite at odds, from my understanding, of the process used for the selection of the last three commissioners."

In a March 6 letter to Nault requesting more time, the Yellowknife Great Slave Lake MLA wrote, "I am disappointed that we received notice for our input in such an offhanded and disrespectful manner."

Caucus, consisting of all MLAs, met a week after the deadline had passed, but discussion focused on process not nominees.

In the end, the caucus made no suggestions for either of the appointments, but some members reportedly forwarded their own suggestions.

Most members perceived the one-day notice as a slight for an appointment that is the highest, if mainly ceremonial, political position resident in the North.

"I think this is too big a thing to ignore," said Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell. "I don't think we want to push this off and let the premier make the decision."

Bell said he wanted the time to find out who his constituents think would be a good choice for the five-year appointment.

Calls to Nault's office were not returned by deadline.