(Yellowknife) November 4, 2016 –Ministerial briefings to Standing Committees will now be open to the public and broadcast through the Legislative Assembly Broadcasting Network. Caucus Chair Julie Green tabled the amended Consensus Government in the Northwest Territories – Guiding Principles and Process Conventions in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, October 31.

“Ministerial briefings cover many subjects, from mental health to the Mackenzie Valley Fibre-optic Link. Public meetings should be the rule, not the exception, and we see this change as the first step in opening government business to the public,” said Ms. Green.

The decision to hold all or a portion of a briefing in camera rests with the Standing Committee. If confidential matters as outlined in the guiding principles are to be discussed, the Minister or any committee member may request to move in camera. The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures’ interim report, tabled earlier this week, references the Guiding Principles. Rules and Procedures plans to report further to the Assembly in June 2017.

The guiding principles assist Members in conducting Assembly business, including communications between Cabinet, Ministers, Standing Committees and Regular Members. The 18th Assembly Guiding Principles and Process Conventions can be found on the Legislative Assembly’s website at: http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/td_207-182.pdf.

For more information, please contact:

Julie Green, Caucus Chair
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone. 867-767-9143 Ext. 12180
Fax: 867-873-0276
E-mail: julie_green@gov.nt.ca

Danielle Mager, Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone: 867-767-9130 Ext. 12017
Fax: 867-873-0222
E-mail: danielle_mager@gov.nt.ca