SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A Yellowknife MLA says regular members who chair legislative standing committees want more unity and cohesiveness when putting forward new ideas.

Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart said this was one of the discussions held when standing committee chairs met last week for a caucus retreat in Fort Providence. Testart is the chair of the government operations committee.

"A number of us felt that our committees could be stronger," Testart said. "Right now, committees are very reactive and typically will address legislation as it comes to them. But one of the unique roles that consensus government allows our standing committees is to be oversight committees in addition to being legislative committees. This creates a real opportunity for committees to drill down on the issues that are important to Northerners."

Testart said regular members want to use standing committees to study issues more in-depth rather than simply relying on cabinet minister responses during question period. He said stronger committees will make the entire government more effective on a range of issues.

"Ultimately, this is going to be of great value to Northerners because it's going to give a greater sense of what may be wrong in the government and how we can all work together to fix it," Testart said. "There are a number of issues around procurement, a number of issues about where policy comes from. We are standing still on climate change and we really need to have a clear position from our premier when he goes to meet with the prime minister and the other premiers and present what's best for the North."

Communication needs improvement

Testart said the territorial government needs to have its own position on climate change made clear and on the table sooner rather than later so businesses and private citizens understand where the government is heading.

He also said he believes communication between the government and the citizens of the NWT also needs improvement.

He said the issue has been talked about for too long and it is time to move forward with a better communications plan.

"I'm frustrated with the pace. I think we could be moving forward and getting our plans out to the public. Give them something to consider rather than asking them what they would like from the ground up," Testart said. "Working closely with standing committees, we can bring that oversight and that proactive policy-driven discussion to every household in the NWT through their MLA or through public engagement."

Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly was also part of the discussion as chair of the standing committee on rules and procedures. He said there have been instances in the past where committees played larger roles in shaping policy and legislation.

"The economic development committee, during the last assembly, they went off and investigated the issue of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). They went to North Dakota and produced a report," O'Reilly said.

"There was also a review of child and family services in the last assembly that led to a big overhaul of that legislation. Committees have that authority."

O'Reilly said he would be willing to have the discussion on how the current committees can do more to get their opinions shared with the government and added he is hopeful new procedures on public engagement by the government will be seriously looked at when assembly resumes in mid-October.

"There will be some interesting ideas proposed there to move us forward to improve public engagement," O'Reilly said. He did not want to tip his hand as to what will be proposed but said he is confident the ideas put forth, if adopted, will improve transparency and accountability.

Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne is the current chair of the economic development standing committee.

The other committees include social development and priorities and planning.

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