News May 28(b), 2013

MLA for Frame Lake Elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning

(YELLOWKNIFE) Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - The MLA for Frame Lake, Ms. Wendy Bisaro has been elected by her colleagues as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning of the 17th Legislative Assembly. The vacancy was filled after the Committee’s previous Chair, Kevin Menicoche, resigned in April. 

In her role as Chair, Ms. Bisaro will lead the 11-Member Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning as it undertakes its mandate and reviews issues that have government-wide implications. The Standing Committee also examines fiscal and business planning initiatives as well as the oversight of all matters pertaining to the proposed Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. 

The Chair of a committee is responsible for maintaining order in committee proceedings and ensuring that any rules established by the committee are respected. Chairs of committees also often assume a leadership role in planning and coordinating the committee’s work and studies. 

Ms. Bisaro has spent considerable time in the political arena. In 1988 she was elected to the Board of Trustees for Yellowknife Education District #1, and was a board member for the next twelve years (re-elected three times). She acted as Board Chair for five of those years. In 2000, Ms. Bisaro moved to municipal politics and was elected to Yellowknife City Council for two consecutive three-year terms, chosen to be Deputy Mayor by her fellow council members during her second term. In 2007, Ms. Bisaro changed her political course again, and was elected to the NWT Legislative Assembly as the Member for the riding of Frame Lake. 

For further information: 

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, Chair 
Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning 
Legislative Assembly of the NWT 
Phone: 867-669-2274 or toll free1-800-661-0784 
Email: wendy_bisaro@gov.nt.ca