Fort Simpson (May 14/04) - Junior MLAs representing the Deh Cho region took opposite sides of a minimum wage debate in the Legislative Assembly last week.

Rachel Constant, who filled in for Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod during a Youth Parliament on May 6, argued in favour of raising minimum wage to $10.00 an hour from the current $8.25.

Nineteen students took over the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife last week. Among them were Kali Kwong, left, who represented the Nahendeh riding, and Rachel Constant, who temporarily replaced Michael McLeod as Deh Cho MLA and minister of transportation and housing. - Mike Bryant/NNSL photo

"I think it would be good for the youth and people that are trying to save (money)," Constant said.

Kali Kwong, taking Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche's place in the territorial halls of power, voted against the bill.

"I felt it wouldn't really help since it would just inflate all costs," Kwong explained. "It would cost consumers (through) the inflation of prices that would eventually happen."

Her conviction is so strong that she said she wouldn't change her mind even when she gets her first job as a student.

The bill was passed by the majority of Youth Parliamentarians, but it won't be enacted.

First-timer

It was Kwong's first time in the legislature. She said she was very impressed by the architecture.

"There were lots of glass windows. It was just really big and beautiful," she said.

Constant had visited the building before with her grandfather, former MLA Sam Gargan, when he was the Speaker of the House.

She said she "kind of" has an interest in a political career.

"They (politicians) get to say things that are wrong and try to look for the good," she said.

Kwong, who is also contemplating a political career "a little," gleaned some insight from Menicoche during her first few days in Yellowknife. They discussed his role and issues in Fort Simpson, she noted.

Constant said the bottom line of McLeod's advice was basically, "Have fun."

While in Yellowknife, the junior Parliamentarians also went bowling, played soccer, ate fast food and saw Mean Girls at the movie theatre.