The candidates: Frame Lake
CBC News | Posted: September 18, 2019 4:00 AM | Last Updated: September 18, 2019
Kevin O'Reilly faces off with Dave Ramsay in 2-person race
Election day in the Northwest Territories is Oct. 1, and CBC North is working to bring you all the information you need to cast your ballot. As candidates were announced, CBC provided each an opportunity to answer a questionnaire tackling a wide range of subjects, from their own qualifications to themes impacting their riding and the territory as a whole.
Read their responses below, presented in the order they were received by CBC.
Some answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Kevin O'Reilly
Why did you decide to run for office?
I am a committed and active voice in the Assembly on the environment, social justice and democracy. I have a lot more to offer. That's why I am running again.
What previous experience would you bring to the role of MLA?
- MLA Frame Lake: 2015 - 2019.
- Yellowknife City Councillor: 1997 - 2006.
- I've lived in the Frame Lake riding for 28 years.
- Work and volunteer experience in community engagement, collaborative planning and resource management.
- Education: University of Waterloo — Bachelors in Environmental Studies, Masters in Planning.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
- Improved legislation such as Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (it is one of the best in Canada) and expanding public reporting for NWT 9-1-1 Act.
- Chaired committee that developed a tougher and enforceable Code of Conduct for MLAs.
- Enabled students to vote online and provided more voting options for others.
- Developed the only bill by a regular MLA that was passed (clarifying N.W.T. cremation services).
- Led efforts to avoid strike with members of Union of Northern Workers.
- Had the best MLA attendance record and was always prepared.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the territory?
We need to diversify and stabilize the economy with a plan that responds to the climate crisis, our housing needs, and ensures resource development that benefits northerners.
What is the biggest issue in your riding?
Cost of living is a key issue. For some, the solution is to lower energy and housing costs with more effective retrofit programs. For others, it is to improve income support programs with transition options to move to working for a living wage. For others, good, stable jobs are key.
If you could accomplish only one thing while in office, what would that be?
An N.W.T. polytechnic university and a new Northern Frontier tourism centre would both help stabilize and develop a diversified economy.
What would you like to see the territory do to address the impacts of climate change?
Work with Indigenous governments, industry, non-governmental organizations and other experts to develop and pass a climate crisis act that establishes the necessary leadership, organization and authority to make sure key actions are carried out.
Actions would include a new energy strategy, focusing on renewable energy, to build self-reliance for families and communities. The climate crisis must be central to our government decision making, especially for large infrastructure investment. We need to publicly report greenhouse gas reductions, energy transition and carbon pricing.
What would you change about how the government currently operates?
There should be a more shared authority and decision-making between cabinet and regular MLAs. We need a more balanced approach that supports our public programs with less emphasis on big infrastructure projects. We need to improve our purchasing and consulting practices to ensure northern benefits.
What do you think the GNWT (Government of the Northwest Territories) must do to improve and protect the territory's economy?
- Diversify and stabilize the economy with investments in tourism, agriculture and the arts.
- Ensure responsible mining and energy development through local benefits, jobs and a fair return from royalties and taxes.
- System-wide improvements to our early childhood development and education system to prepare northerners to better participate in the economy.
- Secure a better territorial funding arrangement that allows us to keep more of our own source revenues.
What would you do as MLA to improve the GNWT's relationship with Indigenous people?
- Improve our approach to negotiation and implementation of land rights agreements.
- Carry out recommendations and calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
- GNWT policies and legislation need to be consistent with United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights.
- Start a public discussion on constitutional development in the Northwest Territories.
If elected, will you be seeking a cabinet position?
My first job is to get re-elected as MLA.
Would you like to be premier?
Whoever is Premier need to be committed to working with all MLAs, not just cabinet.
Dave Ramsay
Why did you decide to run for office?
There are a number of reasons, but primarily because I feel my experience will make a difference. I"m frustrated with the way the GNWT Is treating Indigenous groups and the direction the government is going.
What previous experience would you bring to the role of MLA?
Five years on Yellowknife city council, 12 years as MLA for Kam Lake, four years as Minister of a number of portfolios, but also my experience working with Indigenous groups and industry.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
Negotiated the contract for the Tuk-Inuvik Highway, and keeping most of that $300 million contract in the N.W.T., including jobs for local business.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the territory?
The economy and what happens after the diamond mines close and leave the territory.
What is the biggest issue in your riding?
Staffing shortages at the hospital is a big issue right now.
If you could accomplish only one thing while in office, what would that be?
Restore the trust and faith that Indigenous groups should have with the GNWT so we can grow the economy together and see a future together here. It won't work if we do everything in silos. We need to work together.
What would you like to see the territory do to address the impacts of climate change?
There are two facets of climate change that need to be addressed: the first is mitigating climate change, which we can contribute to by supplying the global economy with materials that are used in green technology, such as solar panels and batteries. We have a real opportunity to position ourselves in the global economy as a place where these minerals can be mined responsibly. We need to also be looking at all options for getting communities off diesel, including liquefied natural gas and hydro opportunities.
All that being said, in the N.W.T., we account for only a fraction of the problem in terms of total greenhouse gas emissions; however, we are experiencing a disproportionate impact compared to other places in Canada and the world. This means we must adapt to the impacts of climate change more so than other places. This is ground zero for climate change and we need to be doing everything we can to understand these impacts by investing in research.
What would you change about how the government currently operates?
The government needs to have more of an open mind when dealing with Indigenous groups and local people in the N.W.T. They need to use the tools they have, such as the Negotiated Contracts Policy and the Business Incentive Policy, when dealing with opportunities in communities to ensure that jobs and benefits stay here.
What do you think the GNWT must do to improve and protect the territory's economy?
Attract more investment to diversify the economy and develop infrastructure. We could look at innovative opportunities around cold weather testing, tourism, and commercial fisheries in Yellowknife, but at the end of the day, infrastructure is key to building a strong vibrant economy.
What would you do as MLA to improve the GNWT's relationship with Indigenous people?
I've been working with Indigenous people for over 20 years. I believe I'm well-respected, I'm the only non-Indigenous person on the Board of Denendeh Investments Inc. Being on the other side of the fence working with Indigenous people for the last four years, I see the difficulty faced by Indigenous governments and organizations and I see how the trust really needs to be restored.
The GNWT has to use the tools it has to address economic reconciliation and build capacity amongst Indigenous corporations and communities. I would focus on settling the Dehcho and Akaitcho claims, and respecting Indigenous rights.
If elected, will you be seeking a cabinet position?
Yes.
Would you like to be premier?
Yes.