Glen Abernethy and Bob McLeod: what the candidates for N.W.T. premier promised

Bob McLeod and Glen Abernethy, the N.W.T.'s two candidates for premier, highlighted many of the same issues Tuesday in their stump speeches to fellow MLAs: how to turn around a shaky economy, climate change, creating a more open government.

But they didn't always approach issues the same way, and each made their own specific promises. Here's a handy cheat-sheet.

Improving consensus government:

• Bob McLeod: As "potential mechanisms to enable greater input from regular members," McLeod suggested forming joint committees, made up of cabinet members and regular members, on critical issues like climate change and family violence. 
• Glen Abernethy: "It's about relationships and can only be effective when respect and dignity for each other are maintained and committed to by all members, regardless of where you sit in this house."

Government spending 

• Bob McLeod: "If we do not have the money, we will not spend it…. We must constrain the growth in government spending."
• Glen Abernethy: "The GNWT's operating costs continue to climb." "We may need to consider some short-term debt to make this critical investment." (after speaking about supporting biomass production, green energy, agriculture, arts and cultures, fishing and tourism) 

Transparency

• Bob McLeod: Said he would create a new position: Minister Responsible for Transparency and Democratic Engagement. Also suggested that each cabinet committee hold one public meeting during the next year, and that, "whenever practical and possible," standing committee meetings and briefings with cabinet ministers be public, too. 
• Glen Abernethy: Said he would make public the mandate letters he writes to each appointed minister, so that their performances can be measured by average joes mid-term

Land claim negotiations

• Bob McLeod: Suggested forming a joint committee of cabinet members and regular MLAs that can "provide oversight and give direction to our negotiators" in order to get outstanding land claims resolved in the next four years.
• Glen Abernethy: "I commit to meeting with our aboriginal partners in the Dehcho and the Akaitcho territories to develop a co-operative plan to move land claim negotiations forward.

Cost of living

• Bob McLeod: Said he'll lobby the federal government to make annual increases to the Northern Residents Income Tax Deduction. "Greater infrastructure is a key to reducing our cost of living."

Minister's marching orders

• Glen Abernethy: Beyond telling ministers what should get done in their terms, Abernethy stressed the mandate letters would spell out "how things should get done." 

The job of being premier

• Glen Abernethy: "It is not to set priorities for this assembly without the direction of this assembly."