DEH CHO
Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche will not be lending any further support for extending the current legislative assembly's term to avoid election overlaps.

Minister Dave Ramsay, left, Chief Stan Sanguez of Jean Marie River First Nation, MLA Kevin Menicoche and Pamela Norwegian meet during the first day of Menicoche's spring Nahendeh constituency tour. Ramsay accompanied Menicoche to both Jean Marie River and Fort Liard. - photo courtesy of Kevin Menicoche's office

"I'll listen to my constituents," Menicoche said.

And his constituents have spoken. The MLA conducted his spring constituency tour between April 2 to 10 visiting all of his communities except for Trout Lake, which couldn't be reached due to inclement weather.

Menicoche said the majority of the people he talked to want to keep the planned election dates. Particularly in the smaller communities, constituents don't see any potential confusion in having the federal and territorial elections held at the same time, he said.

On March 10, Menicoche voted for a motion in the Legislative Assembly that asked the federal government to amend the Northwest Territories Act to allow the current assembly to extend its term for a period not exceeding five years. The motion was designed to avoid the overlap of federal, territorial and municipal elections in October 2015, not to give the assembly another full year, Menicoche said. Clarifying that point and getting feedback on the issue was Menicoche's primary goal for his tour.

Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli voted against that motion saying he felt it was wrong for members to change the term of their mandate.

The five people who attended the public meeting in Fort Simpson April 8 were against an extension.

"That's not what we voted for," said Wilbert Antoine, a Fort Simpson resident.

There is a lot of animosity because MLAs took it upon themselves to work towards extending their term, he said. There have been occasions in the past where elections have overlapped, said Bernice Hardisty-Isaiah, also a village resident. It is just a matter of making sure it is explained to elders properly which level of government they are voting for, she said.

Given the opinions he's received, Menicoche said he's no longer in favor of changing the dates as long as people are aware there will potentially be additional candidates and campaign signs and additional calls for election volunteers.

Devolution is another issue that Menicoche raised in each of the communities he visited. People are aware that devolution has taken place.

"They are still not too sure how it affects them," he said.

Menicoche's explanation was that devolution has brought the responsibility over public land, water and resources to the NWT and, therefore, closer to the communities who will be able to affect change more easily than they could when the power rested in Ottawa.

Housing is also a continuing concern in the region. Menicoche shared information about new funding and programs the NWT Housing Corporation has to address homelessness.

Menicoche is holding a community meeting April 29 at 3 p.m. in Liidlii Kue First Nation's boardroom to hear ideas about the best way to deal with homelessness in Fort Simpson. There are a number of homeless people in the village, some who have come from outlying communities, got stuck and are now moving between people's houses, he said.

Dave Ramsay, the minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, accompanied Menicoche on his first two days of the tour to Fort Liard and Jean Marie River. As part of the tour Ramsay and Menicoche visited a camp in northern B.C. that Acho Camps and Catering is involved in.

"I thought it was an excellent, well-run camp setting," said Menicoche.

The tour was designed to give an idea of the type of work that may expand into the NWT after Acho Dene Koe First Nations signs its final agreement.

"Acho Dene Koe and (Chief) Harry Deneron have always been focused progressively on development and oil and gas," Menicoche said.