Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 09/01) - A compromise was not enough to save an initiative to cut down the amount of time people need to live in the NWT before they can hunt here without a guide.

The private members bill introduced by Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent encountered stiff opposition from MLAs representing largely-aboriginal constituencies. Dent also failed to win the support of cabinet, including Yellowknife MLAs Joe Handley and Jake Ootes.

Dent argued newcomers should not have to wait two years to hunt when they can fish, pay taxes and vote as soon as they arrive.

"Only when there will be sufficient numbers of animals after the aboriginal harvest will quotas be set for non-aboriginal sport hunters," argued Dent.

A suggestion from Inuvik MLA Floyd Roland to reduce the residency requirement to one year failed to sway MLAs from aboriginal constituencies, who said their people have to go farther afield to get meat these days because of increased hunting pressure.

With almost one voice, cabinet ministers said the timing of the bill was the problem. They said it should be part of the comprehensive review being undertaken of the Wildlife Act.

Motor vehicles Act changes

NWT chief coroner Percy Kinney didn't get what he wanted when it came to his recommended changes to the Motor Vehicles Act.

Kinney had argued for a ban on allowing people to ride in the bed of pickup trucks. MLAs from remote communities said that was impractical.

Instead of outlawing the practice, MLAs elected to give bands and municipal governments the allow it by requesting permission from the Department of Transportation.

"It's a start," said Kinney. "They've put up a roadblock that at least requires communities to request it."

Kinney said he hopes few communities take the government up on the offer.

Fuel for the fire

Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland challenged Yellowknife representative Sandy Lee and Premier Stephen Kakfwi to justify their release of legal opinions criticizing the special committee on conflict of interest.

The opinions, from lawyers representing chief of staff Lynda Sorensen, former principal secretary John Bayly, and the premier, could be fuel for the fire of a lawsuit against the government, argued Roland. His fellow-members of the special committee, with the exception of cabinet minister Joe Handley, agreed.

Kakfwi and Lee argued it was in the public interest to table the documents. Speaker Tony Whitford agreed.

Cost of government increases

With no debate, MLAs unanimously accepted recommendations to increase their expense allowances.

Non-Yellowknife MLAs will each get five more free round-trip flights from the capital to their place of residence, starting with this government. Constituency budgets will increase with increases in the cost of living.

Starting after the next election, chairs of standing committees will be paid $5,000 annually instead of $3,192. Chairs of special committees will see their pay drop to $2,500 from $3,192.

Finishing with a flourish

MLAs brought their fourth session to a close with a last minute legislative flurry.

In a day that lasted until 11 p.m., MLAs dealt with 37 motions, debated and gave third reading to two of the eight laws they changed this sitting, debated and rejected another bill, released seven documents and helped celebrate the first Arctic Energy Alliance Awards ceremony.

The fifth session begins Feb. 19.