SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Glen Abernethy says he intends to seek the premier's office when nomination for the top territorial government job opens today at the legislative assembly.

Glen Abernethy: "Come and watch the speeches, I'm writing mine right now." - Tom Beaulieu, left, with mayor of Tuktoyaktuk Darrel Nasogaluak who was presented with a commemorative plaque during the opening ceremony of the James Gruben Community Airport last April. - Photo courtesy of Roya Grinsted

"Come and watch the speeches, I'm writing mine right now," said the Great Slave MLA said when asked if he'd seek nomination.

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Tom Beaulieu has already announced he intends to seek the job.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Bob McLeod, who served as premier in the last assembly, said he's testing the waters to see if there's support for an unprecedented second term in the premier's office. Asked if he had come to a decision, he said yesterday he was still thinking about it.

The other city MLAs told Yellowknifer they don't intend to seek the office.

For the first time, the public will see who is nominated and get to see and hear the 20-minute speeches they will give outlining why they want the job. Those speeches happen today at the assembly at 1:30 p.m.

There will be a week between the speeches and when MLAs gather Dec. 16 to cast secret ballots for their choice.

Previously the speeches were followed immediately by the vote - all in secret until the results were announced.

The change to the selection format was something all Yellowknife MLAs said they were happy to see, although some hope for further changes in the future.

"I think it's wonderful for a start," said Range Lake MLA Caroline Cochrane, who added she wants voters to be able to directly cast a ballot for premier in the next territorial election.

Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne wants the vote by MLAs to be made public in the future.

"We heard quite a bit out on the campaign trail and at the doors and in public forums that people wanted a little more open and transparent process for choosing the premier," he said. "It's a stepping stone. It's a first step to a process that hopefully becomes more and more transparent over the years."

Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly said he also heard during the election campaign voters want a more open system.

"People wanted to have the ability to express views about who the premier should be," he said, adding it was something he is committed to implementing.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green was happy to see the change and will hold a constituency meeting Monday to gather input from residents about who they believe would be the best choice.

McLeod said the added time between speeches and the vote gives constituents an opportunity to add their input.

"I think it's good constituents have an opportunity to provide input to their MLAs if they want to," McLeod said.

Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart said the number of newly elected MLAs sends a message that voters want change.

"That's a message we can't ignore," he said. "The decision was made by all 19 members (to change the selection process) and it's a really positive step in my opinion because we're now seeing the first of many changes that will open our government up and make it more transparent."

Testart also intends to reveal who receives his vote.

Abernethy said holding a public vote for premier isn't something he would support, saying he doesn't know of any other vote to select a person that's done without a secret ballot.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.