Debates of March 1, 2006 (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, talk of an election always seems to kind of get people interested in what's going on, and a question came to me about electoral reform on a municipal level. So I wrote an e-mail to the Minister and he did reply, but I'd like to hear what the Minister's thoughts are about any potential municipal electoral reform that will be coming in the next little while. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 496-15(4): Municipal Electoral Reform

Mr. Speaker, the question was raised by the Member. We are planning to have that discussion with the NWT Association of Communities. There has been no formal request to have this reform take place as of yet, and we will do follow-up once that discussion takes place if there is a desire from that association to move forward on it. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 496-15(4): Municipal Electoral Reform

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, the issue of mandatory reporting, mobile voting for things like people at seniors' homes and hospitals, some of those are the issues that have been drawn out through some type of electoral reform. Is the Minister saying today that we have to wait for the NWT municipalities to put forward a request for any type of electoral reform, or can he hear me today on these types of matters? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister McLeod.

Further Return To Question 496-15(4): Municipal Electoral Reform

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have already heard from the Member; he sent us a letter. We have flagged this as an issue we'd like to discuss with the NWT Association of Communities, and I'd rather have that discussion before I make any decisions whether we're going to move forward on this issue or not. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 496-15(4): Municipal Electoral Reform

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I think really what I'm saying is if people in seniors' homes who can't get down to the voting box, or people in the hospital who are there for long-term care, may be missing out on their democratic right to vote for representatives that they feel strong about. So, Mr. Speaker, can I have the Minister commit today that they'll seriously look at that, regardless of if the municipalities are in support of this at this time or they are not in support of these types of things at this time? Can I get that commitment from the Minister that he'll look into those seriously and consider those types of reviews? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister McLeod.

Further Return To Question 496-15(4): Municipal Electoral Reform

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to having that discussion with the municipalities. Thank you.