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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The competition isn't over yet for MLAs elected to the 17th legislative assembly.

Before settling in to their positions as elected representatives, many will be vying for the positions of speaker, cabinet minister and premier. In the NWT's system of consensus government, the process of government-building is quite different from most other regions in Canada.

Tim Mercer, clerk of the legislative assembly, provided a primer on how the important decisions will be made.

The entire process, as always, is subject to the approval of the newly elected MLAs, but Mercer said the system has remained consistent since the division of the NWT in 1999.

All MLAs vote first to select a speaker, then a premier, and finally, a cabinet.

A territorial leadership committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 17. Mercer, who will chair the House until a speaker is selected, will open the floor for nominations for the position of speaker. In the past, said Mercer, MLAs have self-nominated or had another member nominate them.

If more than one candidate emerges, each nominee may make a five-minute speech before all MLAs proceed to vote. All votes are by secret ballot but take place in public, on the floor of the chamber. The winning candidate must have a majority, at least 10 of a possible 19 votes.

Selection proceeds by what is known as an exhaustive majority ballot, meaning in a scenario where there are three or more nominees, if nobody emerges from the first round of voting with a majority, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is removed from the ballot and another round of voting commences, said Mercer.

The eventual winner becomes the Speaker-elect and takes over the chairmanship of the territorial leadership committee.

Traditionally, the next round of voting has been for premier. The floor is once again opened for nominations but the process can be lengthier, depending on the number of candidates. All nominated candidates may make a 20-minute speech and every member is allowed to ask every candidate three questions. Mercer said the process has typically not been as drawn-out as it could be, because some members ask only one or two questions, or none at all.

After the question and answer period, voting once again proceeds by exhaustive majority ballot, with the lowest vote-getter dropped from the ballot in each successive round until the premier-elect emerges with a majority.

The selections are followed up formally by a motion of the House the following day, "but this is just how we decide whose names are going to be on those motions," said Mercer.

Though tradition has dictated that there have been six cabinet members to oversee the 13 government departments, "In terms of cabinet, even the size of cabinet is not written in legislation, it's entirely up to them to decide," said Mercer.

In the past, the cabinet has been organized geographically, with two ministers selected from north of Yellowknife, two from Yellowknife itself and two from south of Yellowknife, proceeding in that order.

The exhaustive majority ballot still applies, but each MLA gets two equal votes, one for each position in the region. "And then the next day we formally make those recommendations by way of a motion in a formal session and then the commissioner makes those formal approvals," said Mercer.

And if the members do want to change the system?

"We'll start off with a very quick briefing a week from Monday on how the system currently works and then we've got a full day set aside for us to talk about this," said Mercer.

"And if there's suggestions in terms of how it could change then we'll debate those for a full day ... It would be a caucus decision and we typically don't vote in caucus but sometimes we need to. I think if a majority of members were in favour of changing the system I think it would probably result in some change."

There is no requirement for MLAs to announce their intentions ahead of time - "Sometimes we don't know who's going to be a candidate until they're nominated on the floor of the House," said Mercer - but Yellowknife candidates were forthcoming when asked:

Glen Abernethy - Cabinet
Specifically interested in Industry, Tourism and Investment; Municipal and Community Affairs; Transportation.

Wendy Bisaro - Cabinet
In terms of specific departments, "It doesn't really matter," but her background is in education; tendency to focus on social issues more so than economic issues.

Bob Bromley
"I certainly am considering (cabinet) ... I am very open to hearing from my constituents." Bromley said he would not rule out running for premier but would also not confirm that he would do so.

Daryl Dolynny
"This is a new term for me as a new MLA and an important term to make inroads and friendships and trust." He said he will put his name forward for cabinet if a "critical mass" of MLAs want him to do so.

Robert Hawkins - Cabinet
"I'll be putting my name forward with extensive encouragement from my colleagues to run for cabinet." He said he has a background in engineering and has an affinity for the more technical departments but "I think it really comes down to what the premier finds is a particular person's strength."

Bob McLeod - Premier and cabinet
No preferred department.

Dave Ramsay - Cabinet
No preferred department.

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