YELLOWKNIFE (November 24, 2021) –Yesterday, Members of the Legislative Assembly voted to declare the seat for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh vacant.
Pursuant to section 8 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, Members of the Assembly have the right to govern their own internal affairs which includes discipline of Members, up to and including expulsion. The MLA for Thebacha, Ms. Frieda Martselos, moved to expel the Member for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, Mr. Steve Norn, and have his seat declared vacant. The motion was seconded by The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Ms. Lesa Semmler. The Motion was carried unanimously by way of recorded vote.
The words of Mr. Norn used in speaking to the motion yesterday lacked the clarity needed to give his resignation full effect. The Speaker therefore allowed debate on the motion to continue and ultimately put the question to the House. Had Mr. Norn clearly stated his decision to resign from his seat in the House, that resignation would not have ended the requirement of the House to consider the Sole Adjudicator’s Disposition Report, and either order or reject the recommended punishment.
Pursuant to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, where the seat of a member becomes vacant for any reason, the Commissioner, on being informed of the vacancy, shall give instructions to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for the election to fill the vacancy.
Information about a by-election in the Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh constituency will be released by Elections NWT.