SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
If tensions over the budget weren't already high between cabinet and regular MLAs, they flared on Wednesday.

Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy says he is frustrated by MLAs' unwavering opposition to the proposed budget.

Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy rose as a regular MLA to deliver a budget reply that took aim at the regular MLAs' solidarity against it, and sought clarity on their concerns.

"In my 10 years, Mr. Speaker, I have never seen a budget process where there has been such resistance to the budget and drawing of such incredibly hard lines," Abernethy said.

"I find that frustrating as an MLA, Mr. Speaker. I find that frustrating as a resident."

Since the reconvening of session last Tuesday, the majority of regular MLAs have presented a unified front against the 2017-18 territorial budget, denouncing job cuts and calling for further investment in social programming. Some leaders have said they believe they have the majority needed to vote down the budget if they choose.

While Abernethy told Yellowknifer there is something to MLAs' frustrations, an "all or nothing" approach doesn't leave room for compromise.

"This is a consensus government," Abernethy said in his speech. "Consensus government is not about everybody agreeing. Consensus government is about everybody having the opportunity to be heard, listened to, and understood."

He questioned comments by Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green that 200 positions will be eliminated this fiscal year and next. Abernethy said 124 positions were impacted in 2016-17, and 65 could be impacted in 2017-18. Not all the positions are staffed and many employees are being redirected to other jobs.

He also questioned Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart's dubbing of the proposed budget as an "austerity budget."

"I thought about this a lot and tried to understand exactly what was being said," Abernethy said. "So, I went and looked up the definition of 'austerity budget.'"

He said he doesn't feel the definition is an accurate representation of the budget presented this year.

While several MLAs were watching Abernethy intently during his speech, Green was tweeting her response, making light of the fact that the minister was using a dictionary to "tear a strip" off Testart.

She fired off at the minister, tweeting: "Use dictionary to look up working together in light of previous remarks. Bomb."

Abernethy went on to point out comments from Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne about the assembly's fiscal reduction targets, saying members need to look at long-term benefits as well.

During the speech, Testart tweeted: "There is NO consensus on #budget2017."

Later, Testart explained to Yellowknifer he feels there are major issues in the budget that need to be addressed.

"We are open to negotiating with cabinet. Let's be very clear about that. If we wanted to defeat this budget, it would have been defeated by now," Testart said. "This isn't about scoring political points, this isn't about leadership, this is about creating a budget that works for every Northerner."

Green was unavailable for comment.

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