On the day that the only vote on devolution is scheduled to take take place in the Assembly, the Yellowknifer reports that cabinet has the final say on devolution because our MLA’s vote on resource deal is “not legally binding”. Confirmed by Mr Tim Mercer, clerk of the assembly, the Yellowknifer reports that “… only the premier and cabinet can approve the devolution deal over NWT lands and resources even though [Premier] McLeod had previously indicated the decision would be made by MLAs…”
“…[E]ven though an MLA vote against devolution cannot prevent [McLeod] from approving the agreement…”
Premiere McLeod and the NWT Assembly have previously denied requests from the public for a plebiscite on devolution. An Alternatives North EKOS Poll on Public Attitudes Towards Devolution of Powers asked “In your opinion should the NWT Government ask NWT residentsto vote on whether to accept the proposed devolution deal with Ottawa before the deal is finalized?” … 73% replied “Yes”
You can follow today’s political events and the vote on devolution in the NWT assembly via the Yellowknifer‘s Twitter feed at @NNSLOnline or via their NWT Politics blog.
See also the GNWT’s Devolution website and also the GNWT’s “Results of the public engagement on the proposed N.W.T. Lands and Resources Agreement” (PDF)
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