Kam Lake candidates square off over financial commitments
Testart says he would only support someone for cabinet who will implement his promises
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, November 20, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Kieron Testart says if elected Monday he'll only support people for cabinet posts if they agree to implement specific campaign promises he's made.
Testart, running in Kam Lake against incumbent David Ramsay, has attached dollar figures to many of his commitments, something others, including Ramsay, have avoided.
If elected, Testart would be one of 19 MLAs. Outside cabinet, MLAs can make suggestions but the government doesn't necessarily have to act on the ideas.
"My plan is clear, I will have a clear mandate to bring to the legislative assembly and I will only support people for cabinet positions if they pledge to support my plan.. That way I can ensure my voters and my constituents that this plan will be on the agenda of the next government," Testart told Yellowknifer, when asked how he intends to meet his promises if elected.
Ramsay said what Testart is putting forward about cabinet is not realistic.
"It's really easy to say that if you haven't lived it," Ramsay said.
Ramsay said consensus government means compromising to carry out the collective priorities of the legislative assembly.
He's critical of Testart's decision to attach dollar figures to promises.
"Just to throw numbers around like that - you've got to know the process," Ramsay said, adding he's careful to not attach numbers to his promises.
"These are my priorities, and these are specific things I would fight for in the budget," Testart said in response, adding members can make recommendations about funding. "All I'm doing is providing details and a clear picture of what my promises will look like if elected," Testart said.
It's up to voters to then decide if that's a plan they support.
"That's a concern to me, because it doesn't give certainty," Testart said about the lack of financial figures attached to other candidates' platforms.
Over the past two weeks, Testart has sent out news releases with specific dollar amounts for various things relating to the tourism industry and municipal infrastructure.
His news release states he'd work to implement the ideas "immediately," which he told Yellowknifer means within a four-year mandate.
Testart came up with promises in consultation with experts - who he said he couldn't reveal the names of to Yellowknifer - with a price tag that would account for three per cent growth in territorial government spending. Despite projections showing government revenue declining over the coming years, he said that's achievable.
"That's well within the means of government to support with our current resources and we of course have a new government in Ottawa that has committed to working in partnership with all provinces and territories," he said.
He touted his close connections with Liberal MP Michael McLeod and other members of the party.
"I will be a strong voice that can influence those partnerships that can make sure the North gets what it needs," he said.
Testart had served as campaign manager for McLeod during the federal election that ended Oct. 19.
Ramsay chuckled at that, saying he's known McLeod for years since they were both MLAs in the legislative assembly together.
