Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 13/03) - The removal of Gordon Wray from the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board has stirred controversy.

Gordon Wray

In separate letters to board chair Todd Burlingame and Wray on Oct. 8, Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault informed them of his decision to axe Wray from the board.

Though Wray was not willing to comment on the matter at this time and said he is seeking legal advice, Burlingame was slightly less reticent.

"I was somewhat surprised and I'm sorry to see the situation go the way it has," he said.

While board member Frank Pope from Norman Wells agreed that the board is a "good team", he was not enthusiastic about the situation improving.

Previous to learning of Wray's dismissal, the board passed a motion of non-confidence in Burlingame.

"This vote of non-confidence had nothing to do with Wray's removal from the board," said Pope. "We passed the motion because of the board's inability to work with the chair. After the vote, Burlingame informed us of Nault's decision."

Calling Nault's decision "laughable", Pope said he and other board members have written the minister to voice their concern over the lack of consultation regarding Wray's sacking.

Pope also disagrees with Nault's assessment of Wray's behaviour on the board as disruptive.

"It is because opinions clashed," said Pope. "This board should operate as a team and independent from government and not in a my-way-or-the-highway fashion."

Pope said that Burlingame and Wray were at odds over how to amend the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and as to who had the authority to do so..