MLAs settle on how to pick Premier

(File photo/CKLB).

The MLAs of the 19th Legislative Assembly have decided on how they will select the next Premier and cabinet.

No big surprise, the new members are following suit of previous governments.

On Friday, any MLAs who wish to become premier will have the chance to make their case with a 20-minute speech. Other MLAs will then ask each candidate a maximum of two questions.

So far, Frieda Martselos, R.J. Simpson, Jackson Lafferty and Caroline Cochrane are the only members to publicly confirm their desire to be premier.

Then things will be put on hold until the following Thursday, October 24. That’s when the Speaker will be selected, following ten-minute speeches by each member interested in the position.

Then MLAs will secretly vote for the Premier.

Finally, members will vote on cabinet.

In keeping with tradition, they will select two members from the northern constituencies, two from Yellowknife and two from the southern constituencies. Again, this will be done with a secret vote. All decisions will be made official the following day on October 25, the first session of the 19th Legislative Assembly.

About the Author

Francis Tessier-Burns
Francis was a reporter with CKLB from January 2019 to March 2023. In his time with CKLB, he had the immense pleasure and honour of learning about northern Indigenous cultures.