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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Bob Bromley was within an hour of being acclaimed for his second term as MLA for Weledeh when Mark Bogan filed his nomination papers Friday afternoon.

"People should not go acclaimed," says Bogan, who has been busy spending the weekend building signs for a campaign that will be waged mostly on the doorsteps of Yellowknife's most diverse constituency.

A perennial candidate known for pranks like throwing flour at federal candidates and releasing crickets in the territorial courthouse, Bogan has received scant support from voters for his role as a self-styled champion of fathers' rights and civil justice reform.

In 2007, he polled just 21 votes when he ran in the Great Slave constituency, but in the past year his issue gained some traction when Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington agreed that the divorce laws need to be reviewed.

Bogan said he will also be talking to voters about the length of time it is taking the territorial government to achieve devolution, settle land claims, and improve social programs and health-care benefits for seniors.

"It's hard for people like us who don't have big finances, however I'll do the best I can and hope that people will agree with some of my positions," said Bogan, who works as a sales associate at The Brick.

Whatever he does, Bogan stands little chance of overtaking Bromley. After topping two rivals in a close race to succeed retiring premier Joe Handley, Bromley has been among the most visible and effective MLAs in the territorial legislature.

The silver-haired bird biologist, co-founder of Ecology North, and life-long Yellowknifer, demonstrated a politician's instinct for finding the front of the parade on issues with broad public interest.

In the closing days of the last assembly, Bromely lead the charge against the Wildlife Act, forcing the government to withdraw the contentious legislation, and was instrumental in getting a ban on cellphone use by drivers.

"We got a lot of direction on the work that needs to be done on the Wildlife Act," said Bromley, who senses "a building will that we will get a majority of aboriginal governments on board before we proceed with devolution."

Devolution will be at or near the top of the next assembly's agenda, but "it will take exceptional leadership, to work collaboratively," said Bromley, who "was left with the feeling that it was sprung on us" in the last assembly.

The territory faces substantial costs, he said.

"Stanton Hospital needs substantial investment. I suspect the final cost will be as high as $400 million. That would be spread over five to eight years, but federal money will require matching funds and that will be difficult. The cost of the Tuktoyaktuk highway is under-reported and matching dollars will again be needed."

The government can also expect accelerating costs from global warming, said Bromley. The impact can be seen in the territory's roads and cost of maintaining them.

The next assembly will learn if the Mackenzie Gas Project will proceed. If it is shelved, economic diversification will overtake it on the agenda, said Bromley.

"I would like to start with strengthening local economies and supporting businesses in projects that will meet local needs. It is not as flamboyant, but it can yield the best long-term results."

Consensus governance is "a moving target," said Bromley, who is pushing for a more inclusive process.

The question of direct public involvement in the choosing who will be premier is a hot issue going into every election, and there have been extensive discussions in caucus, "but consensus opts for the status quo."

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