MLAs Simpson, Testart, Thompson and Wawzonek make pitches to become N.W.T. premier

R.J. Simpson, Shane Thompson, Kieron Testart and Caroline Wawzonek — one of these MLAs will be the next premier of the Northwest Territories. 

The four members each rose in the N.W.T. legislature Thursday to declare their candidacy for the territory's top job and try to convince their peers in a 20 minute speech to vote for them. Candidates presented in alphabetical order.

Simpson first took the floor, focusing his speech on co-development with Indigenous governments and creative problem solving. As examples, he pointed to the Indigenous Knowledge Council at Aurora College — expected to be in place by March 2024 — and having Tłı̨chǫ Government direct renovations to the school in Behchokǫ̀. 

Testart spoke about the need to change the system itself to inspire real change. He said that as premier, one way he would do that is by making things like treaties, addictions, official languages, net zero and red tape reduction official ministerial responsibilities, and integrating them into existing portfolios. He also wants there to be more accountability and said he would introduce a question period for the premier at least once per sitting, where the premier does not transfer questions to other ministers. 

Thompson said that as premier he would prioritize relationships and communication between MLAs and would regularly engage all members before making decisions. He said that he would encourage cabinet ministers to do the same. Thompson also spoke of focusing the territory's lobbying of the federal government and said he would prioritize reducing the territory's reliance on diesel. Thompson also said he'd put more attention into advocating for elders. 

Wawzonek's speech centred on identifying clear barriers for advancements and coming up with solutions to break them down. She said the red tape reduction working group is an example of how that can be done, though she said within that group there are more barriers that can be broken down. Wawzonek also spoke of her work negotiating budgets in the last four years as finance minister, and said she worked hard to reflect, as much as she could, MLAs' priorities in each one. Wawzonek's bid is about helping to "articulate a cohesive vision," she said. 

One of the four candidates will be elected on Dec. 7, once MLAs cast their votes by secret ballot. MLAs will also vote for the Speaker and cabinet on that day. 

CBC's Natalie Pressman was at the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly on Thursday morning providing live updates on what the candidates for premier said in their speeches. You can read those updates below. They appear in descending order, from newest to oldest.

10:25: That wraps up the speeches. MLAs now have a week to consider their options. They'll be casting secret ballots to decide who gets the job on Dec. 7.

10:23: As premier, Wawzonek says she would focus the assembly's priorities, work to rebuild trust of the institution, and create positive change in the Northwest Territories.

10:18: Wawzonek says one of the things she's most proud of in last assembly is negotiating all the budgets and finding ways for reflect the priorities of other MLAs. An example, she said, are Indigenous patient advocates — a program that launched back in February.

10:15: Wawzonek says before putting her name forward for premier she wanted to know if it would cause too big a rift to have another Yellowknife premier. (Convention suggests the next premier should come from outside of Yellowknife, following two successive Yellowknife premiers.) Wawzonek says she is aware such a rift already exists, and doesn't want to do anything to widen it.

10:12: Wawzonek says she is proud of the work on the red tape reduction working group and she says she'd like to take that to the premiers office. She says not all the barriers have been broken down.

10:09: Wawzonek says the territory's leadership should be going to Ottawa together to advocate for help with the territory's addiction crisis. If there is a barrier to achieving something, the government needs to identify it early.