Could cons be tossed off ballots?
Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures seeks input from the public
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, December 5, 2016
HAY RIVER
Should a person convicted of a serious crime – say armed robbery, manslaughter or even murder – be allowed to be a candidate for the legislative assembly?
That's just one of the interesting questions to be considered on Dec. 1 when a standing committee of the legislative assembly visits Hay River to seek public input on eligibility rules for candidates, and guidelines for the conduct of MLAs.
Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly, chair of the Standing committee on rules and procedures, said there is no legislation preventing those convicted of serious crimes from running.
The Elections Act and the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act contain some basic provisions that govern eligibility for public office – such as being 18 years old and a Canadian citizen – but currently contains no provisions against candidates with past criminal convictions seeking office.
"As long as they are not incarcerated at the time of the election," said O'Reilly.
MLAs face removal from the legislative assembly, however, if convicted of a crime while in office.
This occurred last year when Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli was suspended from the assembly after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife.
Nadli was released from jail after serving one-sixth of a 45-day sentence – just in time to submit his nomination papers. He won his seat back.
O'Reilly said a law that barred people convicted of a serious criminal offence from running for office was removed in 2006 by the legislative assembly of the day.
The committee visited Inuvik on Nov. 29 and will be in in Yellowknife on Dec. 6.
