Mr. Chairman, I think the Speaker has well described the issue. I’m not suggesting every specific commissioner position should be a resident, and I think it was highlighted that, well, it’s maybe conflict-of-interest issues that are more important to observe and that a non-resident would be more appropriate. As well, there’s an expertise issue that from time to time will surface. But, Mr. Chairman, the issue I’m strictly raising is that for some of these positions we’ll certainly have competent Northerners who are able to be there: attract them as Northerners and get them to stay here and hopefully fulfill their mandate in their period of appointment.
Therein lies the problem I’m raising, which is to ensure we have them as residents for the full period of their appointment. That’s the matter I’m more concerned about, although I want to underscore that I recognize that on every position that may not be appropriate or necessarily feasible. But it’s the issue of raising it so we can deal with it in the future, because if we have a commissioner who leaves the Northwest Territories, there is no mechanism to either retract them from their position or require them to return to the North as a resident. Then I think the Legislature looks a little silly, in the
sense of someone being appointed, and then we have no way of dealing with them if they just pack up and move to another jurisdiction. That’s really my issue: that most recently we’ve had one who decided to vacate but not resign their position. There’s my concern.
It’s not just mine, by the way; it’s a number of people in the constituency and in the community of Yellowknife who thought that was a bit of an anomaly and would prefer to see it addressed in some form or other. The issue I’m trying to raise here is: do you think it’ll be something you’ll be able to look at in this next coming year?