Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Ninja Air Fryer Pro Buy Now
Sefwon Phantom Black Unlocked Android Smartphone Buy Now
Quay Sunglasses for Women Buy Now
Men's Flat Front Trousers Buy Now
Ayieyill Corduroy Tote Bag for Women Buy Now
Chiffon Muslim Head Scarf for Women Buy Now
Regular Fit Jeans Buy Now
Insignia Fire TV 32 inch Smart HD 720p Buy Now
Ginasy Faux Leather Leggings for Women Buy Now
Women's Wide Leg Pants with Pockets Buy Now
Butterfly Fashion Sunglasses Buy Now
4-in-1 Retractable Car Charger (69W USB-C) Buy Now
FTL Men's Eversoft Cotton Stay Tucked Crew Buy Now
Trendy Women's Summer Tops Buy Now
Women's Tote Bag: Work, Travel, Gym Buy Now
VIZIO 40 inch Smart TV (VFD40M-08) Buy Now
BOOMCOOL Men's Gym Outfit Set Buy Now
Tablet Computer With 4GB RAM Buy Now
Bomber Jacket: Lightweight, Stylish for Spring/Fall Buy Now
The Ultimate Fitness Journal Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
N.W.T. electoral commission's work not enough to fix broken consensus system: former MLA

N.W.T. electoral commission's work not enough to fix broken consensus system: former MLA

CBC
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 9:32 AM GMT

The Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission has been reviewing the number, size and boundaries of existing electoral districts and is expected to table its report in May, during the next sitting of the legislature. 

In the first of a series of conversations on electoral reform, Trailbreaker host Loren McGinnis spoke with former MLA for Kam Lake Kieron Testart.

Testart was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the 2015 election and sat until 2019. He is a past president of the N.W.T. Liberal Party and has long championed the idea of territorial political parties – a discussion that stretches back decades. 

This discussion has been edited for length and clarity. 

Loren McGinnis: You have said the system isn't working as it is now, and I understand you believe that the consensus government, nonpartisan system in some ways stands in the way of real progress. What are your objections with the system we have now? 

Kieron Testart: I would go farther and say it's very much a broken system at this point. And although it is not party-based, it is deeply partisan. The divide between the regular members and the cabinet members is, you know, significant. And there's a sharp power imbalance in the House as well when it comes to staffing resources and the ability to influence public policy. And that's really what it comes down to. Northerners for many years have been, you know, demanding significant public policy outcomes, whether there are changes to GNWT's (government of the Northwest Territories) internal policies around hiring or larger goals like public housing, environmental protection, economic development. These things remain almost impossible to change, despite the fact that we've had high turnover in sitting politicians who ought to be driving those changes. 

And that's really what the crux is. The GNWT's bureaucracy are the ones who determine and execute public policy. There's no independent public policy being developed outside of the the government, essentially the bureaucracy, and being brought to the bureaucracy to execute. Everywhere else in Canada, you have political parties who do their own grassroots policy development. They get elected and then they implement their policies. And that does not happen in the Northwest Territories. So despite MLAs running on ideas and promises and commitments to do things differently, they end up doing things exactly the same way. 

LM: I'm not trying to get you to make anybody else's case, but what do you see as a strength of the consensus system? 

KT: I would say people tend to get along. But this current assembly has shown that that's not the case. Perhaps one strength is that the actual committees of elected officials who look over legislation, look over departmental budgets and travel the Northwest Territories, talking to residents to solicit their input, is very strong and it's not bogged down by partisan grandstanding, because that is an issue you see in other parliaments. 

In the Northwest Territories the standing committees are focused on talking to Northerners and they're focused on delivering good legislation. So that is probably the strongest part of the consensus government system that currently works the way it should. 

LM: So what's your sense of the appetite for moving away from consensus government right now?

KM: There an appetite for change. What that change looks like, I think, is up to the people who want to deliver it … So whether that's a slate of candidates who are going to run together as a team and offer a common vision for what they want to do if they get elected, or whether it's what we've come to expect in the Northwest Territories with independents, all kind of saying we'll do a better job than the last guys.

But this current government has not addressed the systemic issues that are holding the North back from reaching its true promise. We've been in a deep recession for a very long time now, and there's no real hope for economic growth on the horizon. The government is fixated on its own budgets, on its own spending and saving money for itself and its own purposes. And that's the fundamental disconnect. There's a separation between, you know, the GNWT as an entity and the people it's supposed to serve. 

And the politicians who are in there, are more interested in fighting with each other than actually doing that job … We've had two change elections back-to-back. But nothing has really fundamentally changed with how the North is doing … And instead of scratching our heads trying to figure that out, I think personally that the system that is working virtually everywhere else in the world, in a Commonwealth country, a system of parties that are able to take the ideas of citizens and turn them into public policy, is the best choice to move the North forward.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Sask. MMA fighter 'Big Game' Hunter Lee has sights set on UFC

Saskatoon mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter 'Big Game' Hunter Lee is stalking his prey all the way to Florida.

Sask.'s new privacy commissioner on her office's role in an era of AI

Saskatchewan's new information and privacy commissioner says a life-long passion for serving as a check on government power will help her excel in the new role.

Annexation blues: Residents in Edmonton's future growth area grapple with growing pains

Nearly six years after Edmonton's biggest annexation in decades, residents who live in what the city calls its future growth area are anxious about what is to come. 

Victoria, Saanich to work on amalgation question for next municipal election

The municipalities of Victoria and Saanich have taken steps towards amalgamation this week, with councillors in the capital city directing staff to work with Saanich staff to put together a short question that would be added to the ballot in the October 2026 local elections. 

No online voting in Hamilton's next municipal elections, says council, despite staff's recommendation

After lively discussion from Hamilton city councillors on Wednesday about the pros and cons of online voting, they decided it won't be used in upcoming elections.

Pedestrian taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being hit by vehicle in Windsor

Police say a woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision Thursday afternoon in the area of Tecumseh Road East and Princess Avenue in Windsor.

Highway 2 expansion through Red Deer wetland prompts conservation concerns

The provincial government is expanding Alberta's busiest highway, but some are worried wetlands near Red Deer will be lost to make way for the widened route. 

Federal agency launches revised growth strategy for northern Ontario

The federal government has launched its newly-revised Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, a document that aims to address the region's economic challenges and opportunities over the next five years.

Rare black bear sighting in Erin, Ont., prompts safety warning from police

A small black bear has been spotted in Erin, Ont., prompting a warning from police.

Charlottetown hospital ER is keeping pace with influx of tourists so far this season, official says

An administrator at P.E.I.'s largest hospital says staff have been able to keep up with the surge of tourists who need to seek medical care after arriving on the Island, despite longtime strains on the health-care system.

Yukon government plans repair work on Teslin River Bridge

The Government of Yukon is seeking approval to repair damage on the Teslin River Bridge near Johnsons Crossing.

Poilievre tweaks his tone and strategy as he faces must-win byelection, leadership review

Pierre Poilievre was feeling dejected and disappointed after the stinging federal election loss in April, sources close to the Conservative leader said, and he dialed back his public appearances for the better part of two months to reassess his strategy and regroup.

Step-grandmother of missing N.S. kids recalls hearing their voices, followed by 'nothing'

Janie Mackenzie was asleep in her trailer when she awoke to the sound of her dog barking, a telltale sign her two young step-grandchildren were out playing on a swingset in the backyard.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Tourism businesses in Hay River, N.W.T., question gov't priorities with new building project

A longtime business owner in Hay River, N.W.T., is raising concerns about a new government-funded building going up at the town's main beach, a place she says has become mostly unusable after floods and fires in recent years.

Former Afghan interpreter details alleged sexual abuse by Global Affairs employee

WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

'It's a paperweight now': Why the Mounties' ban of popular rifle led to so much pushback

When it comes to Canada's often tense debate around gun laws, most Canadians likely will not have heard of an RCMP database called the Firearms Reference Table, or FRT.

Aid groups rally to help First Nations facing mass food spoilage after northwestern Ontario outages

Aid organizations are ramping up efforts to replenish supplies after power outages across half a dozen First Nations in northwestern Ontario led to mass food spoilage.

2 P.E.I. women dead in southeastern N.B. crash

Two Prince Edward Island women are dead following a single-vehicle crash on Thursday on Route 15 near Shediac.

Mosquitos in Toronto test positive for West Nile virus, but city says risk of infection is low

Toronto Public Health has confirmed some mosquitos in the city have tested positive for West Nile virus, but say the risk of infection is low if precautions are taken.

Tribunal sides with disabled woman denied ultrasound at Calgary clinic

An Alberta woman who filed a human rights complaint after being turned away at a clinic for an ultrasound says she hopes her recent win paves the way for better accommodations for disabled patients.

19-year-old arrested in connection to overdose death of 14-year-old

A 19-year-old St. John's man has been charged with manslaughter in connection to an overdose of youth from four months ago.

Carrying Experience, Swinging with Purpose: a pro caddie's shot at the Idylwylde Men's Invitational

For the first time in 21 years, Kurt Kowaluk is back in his hometown of Sudbury, Ont., for the Men's Idywylde Golf Invitational.

Florenceville Bridge to close for 5 weekends, starting Friday night and spread over 3 months

Only one local bridge remains for Florenceville-Bristol residents who need to drive across the St. John River, and now that bridge will see some full weekend closures starting this weekend.

Montreal not required to pay back $1M to recycling company Ricova

Quebec's Court of Appeal has reversed a lower court's decision requiring the City of Montreal to reimburse $1 million to recycling company Ricova after the company failed to fulfill its contract with the borough of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN-NDG) in 2017.

Manitoba needs more fire rangers to keep communities safe from future risks, chief says

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us