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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Members of the NWT legislative assembly will be equipped with a better understanding of their government structure when they begin session this week.

It took being pushed to the brink of irrelevance before the principles behind consensus government were taken from convention and put in writing.

From April 21 to 23, 17 of the territory's 19 MLAs defined exactly what consensus government is and how it operates at a Blachford Lake Lodge retreat.

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger said it was the first time in his 14 years - and he believes since government moved North from Ottawa - that MLAs actually sat down to agree on the principles of the NWT's style of government, wrote them out, and made them public.

He said until now, consensus operated on conventional rules that had evolved over time, with nothing formal or definitive ever really articulated.

However, recent events have brought that system into question, pushing Premier Floyd Roland to commit to a review of how the legislative assembly communicates.

"If we didn't take time to do this, then yes, I think there was serious questions about the fate and future of consensus government," said Miltenberger.

He said the purpose of the retreat was to create an environment for "open and respectful communication."

The document sets out 10 principles of consensus government - common themes that have surfaced often in the legislative assembly as lines of communication have broken down between members.

The document states consensus should not be defined by the absence of party politics: the role of regular MLAs is not to act as a "cabinet in waiting" but to support cabinet in working towards the vision set out by all 19 MLAs in caucus.

It recognizes open and respectful communication is vital to consensus government and all MLAs should have meaningful input into important decisions. This is a double-edged sword, however, as members agreed information that is shared should remain confidential until it is officially released to the public.

And while MLAs can't be informed of all cabinet announcements, this should only happen in "extraordinary circumstances."

"We kind of went where no one had gone before," said Frame Lake MLA, Wendy Bisaro with a laugh.

"There was nothing really that defined how consensus government works. I thought we achieved a lot and I do feel positive coming out."

Many of the principles outlined in the document overlap and some contradict each other. Bisaro acknowledged hammering out the rules won't immediately fix consensus.

However, she said government staff will use these principles to develop some fairly specific communication protocols.

The document also redefines and strengthens the role of caucus - where all MLAs get together and put portfolios aside to speak toward a broad, common vision.

"We talked about using caucus more in terms of discussing issues that affect all members that might be contentious and issues that might be new or not thought out that we might need to get feedback on," said Bisaro, who serves as caucus chair.

Caucus will meet again May 30 to discuss the state of the territory and country in relation to the economy and to start planning for the 2010-11 budget.

Bisaro said MLAs can use caucus to get the root of a problem, without having it fester and then blow up in the house.

Miltenberger said these principles could make the difference but only if MLAs are willing to take them seriously.

"Relationships - including political ones - require work," he said, calling the retreat "politically therapeutic."

"We want to move past the bitterness, rancor and acrimony that was there, that marred the first 18 months of this assembly," he said. "We want to move on in a constructive relationship."

MLAs Kevin Menicoche and Jane Groenewegen did not attend the retreat.

The next session of the legislative assembly starts on May 27.