Selection of a Premier in Nunavut and Related Issues A Repwt of the Nunavut Implementation Commission ONunavut Implementation Commission 1996. Quotation with appropriate credit is encouraged. ISBN 1-896548-18-0 CANADA ~a-4'L<LLL\cn+YC Nunavut Hivumukpalianikhaagut Katimayit Nunavut Implementation Commission Commission d'etablissement du Nunavut July 10, 1996 The Hon. Ron Irwin, Minister, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Ottawa, Ontario The Hon. Don Morin, Premier, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NVVT Mr. Jose Kusugak, President, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Iqaluit, NVVT Dear Mr. Irwin, Mr. Morin and Mr. Kusugak, On behalf of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, I am pleased to supply you with a report of the Commission entitled Selection of a Premier in Nunavut and Related Issues. The report deals with an issue that has come up on numerous occasions in community consultation and other work of the Commission, namely, the use of a system of direct election to select a Premier in Nunavut. In doing so, it addresses a number of matters that, while they might appear at first blush somewhat tangential, cannot be severed from the issue, such as the role of party politics, the frequency of elections, and concepts of ministerial responsibility and accountability. I would like to point out that the report identifies and evaluates a number of options but does make any definitive recommendations with respect to them. The Commission intends to supply you with such recommendations in the fall as P.O. Box 1109. Iqaluit. NT XOA OHO. Tel: (819)9744199 Fax: (819)979-6862 part of a larger set of recommendations dealing as well with the size and make- up of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly. I would be pleased to discuss this report with you, or any other work of the Commission, at a time convenient to you. Yours sincerely, , TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1 SECTION 1.1 A FEWWORDS ABOUT THE NIC ........................................................................................1 SECTION 1.2 A FEWWORDS ABOUTTHIS DISCUSSION PAPER ................................................................. 1 1.2.1 Origins of this Discussion Paper ............................................................................................ I 1.2.2 Status of This Discussion Paper .............................................................................................3 1.2.3 A Few Words About Terms .....................................................................................................4 PART 2. CONSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT ..........................................................................................5 SECTION 2.1 EXISTING NWT CONSTITUTION ..............................................................................................5 2.1. I Statutory Sources ..................................................................................................................5 2.1.2 Unwritten Sources ................................................................................................................9 2.1.3 The Relationship Between the Executive and Legislative Branches: How It Works in Practice ...........................................................................................10 SECTION 2.2 CONSTITUTIONOF NUNAVUT .......................................................................................... 13 2.2.1 Fundamental Characteristics ..............................................................................................13 2.2.2 Features of the Nunavut Act ................................................................................................14 PART 3. OFFICE OF THE PREMIER IN TODAY'S NWT .............................................................17 SECTION 3.1 STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF EXISTINGSYSTEM ........................................................17 3.1. I Strengths In Relation to Selection of Premier ....................................................................17 3.1.2 In Relation to the Role of Premier .......................................................................................19 SECTION 3.2 WEAKNESSES OF EXISTINGSYSTEM ..................................................................................21 3.2.1 In Relation to Selection of Premier .....................................................................................21 3.2.2 In Relation to the Role of Premier .......................................................................................23 PART 4. EXPERIENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE NWT ....................................................................25 SECTION 4.1 OTHERWESTMINSTER SYSTEMS...................................................................................... 25 4.1.1 Another Northern Jurisdiction Inside Canada: Yukon ........................................................135 4.1.2 Innovation Outside Canada: Israel ....................................................................................27 SECTION 4.2 NON-WESTMINSTER SYSTEMS .........................................................................................30 4.2.1 Theoretical Alternatives ......................................................................................................30 4.2.2 Practical Dgjculties........................................................................................................... 31 PART 5. OPTIONS FOR REFORM: SELECTION OF PREMIER ............................................... 34 SECTION 5.1 OPTION A ........................................................................................................................34 5.1.1 Description ..........................................................................................................................34 5.1.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................35 SECTION 5.2 OPTION B ......................................................................................................................36 5.2.1 Description .........................................................................................................................36 5.2.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................36 SECTION 5.3 OPTION C ........................................................................................................................37 5.3.1 Description .........................................................................................................................37 5.3.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................38 SECTION 5.4 OPTION D ........................................................................................................................38 5.4.1 Description .........................................................................................................................38 5.4.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................38 SECTION 5.5 OPTION E ........................................................................................................................39 5.5.1 Description .........................................................................................................................39 5.5.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................39 SECTION 5.6 OPTION F ........................................................................................................................ 40 5.6.1 Description .........................................................................................................................40 5.6.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................40 SECTION5.7 OPTION G ........................................................................................................................41 5. 7.1 Description .........................................................................................................................41 5 . 7.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................41 SECTION 5.8 OPTION H........................................................................................................................ 42 5.8.1 Description .........................................................................................................................42 5.8.2 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................12 SECTION 5.9 OPTION I .........................................................................................................................43 5.9.1 Description .........................................................................................................................43 5.9.2 Discussion........................................................................................................................... 11 SECTION 5.10 OPTION J .......................................................................................................................45