Minister Louis Sebert can rest a little easier after a majority of MLAs voted down a motion to remove him from cabinet Wednesday.
“I’m relieved by the outcome of this vote. Very relieved,” Sebert told media after the results were announced. “I was listening and I was learning and I will be acting.”
In the end, seven members voted to remove Sebert while 11 voted for him to stay.
All cabinet members, Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson, Nunakput MLA Herb Nakimayak, Mackenzie Delta MLA Frederick Blake Jr. and Sahtu MLA Daniel McNeely voted for the minister to keep his job.
Wednesday’s results come after Sebert, who is the minister of justice, lands and responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, received the only non-confidence vote during the assembly’s midterm review Oct. 5.
That day, a majority of members cast a secret ballot indicating they did not have confidence in his leadership and performance as a minister.
However, the vote was non-binding and the tide seemed to turn in the week following the review. Some regular MLAs began expressing a desire to work with ministers to improve their performance, rather than revoke their responsibilities.
At the time of the review, cabinet stood in solidarity to declare they would not resign if given a non-confidence result. Many preferred an open vote.
“Holding one performance review and then removing a minister does not fulfill our obligation to ensure good governance, in my opinion,” said Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson during his member statement on Tuesday. “I believe we are better off using the tools available to try and improve the minister’s performance.”
Others disagreed.
“Members weren’t able to stand up today and vote the same way they did during the midterm review,” said Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart. “That’s what happened here. There were two very different results and when the result was in public, there was a different outcome.”
During debate on the motion to remove Sebert, many regular members reiterated the critique of the minister they delivered at the midterm review, with a strong focus on his handling of A New Day men’s healing program.
Several regular members were adamant they must respect the results of the midterm review.
“It is what Northerners expect and it is what our democracy deserves,” said Testart.
Were he to do the midterm review again, Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Tom Beaulieu, who introduced the motion, said he would want an open vote the first time around so the issue isn’t dragged out for over a week.
For now, regular members who were split on Wednesday’s vote need to patch up their divide so they can do their jobs effectively, he said.
“We have to really pull together and get started again,” said Beaulieu.
As for Sebert, the minister said he doesn’t expect the non-confidence result or the motion to remove him to cause tension between himself and MLAs.
“Obviously it was a bit stressful today, but I get along well with all of the members,” said Sebert. “I respect the opinions of the regular members, even those that voted in favour of the motion. And I listened and I learned.”