Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Denny Rodgers was acclaimed as the newest member of Premier RJ Simpson’s cabinet on Tuesday, replacing former health minister Lesa Semmler.
Semmler left cabinet in mid-September, saying it was “time for a new chapter.” She also resigned as Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA, with a by-election scheduled for November 24 to fill that seat. Nominations open on Monday next week.
In the meantime, MLAs called a meeting of the “territorial leadership committee.” At this committee, under the NWT’s consensus government rules, all MLAs get a vote on who should replace Semmler in Simpson’s cabinet.
However, the rules also restrict who can run for the vacancy – and Rodgers was the only one of four possible candidates who allowed their name to stand at Tuesday morning’s special meeting.
The NWT’s cabinet is normally chosen according to what is dubbed the “2-2-2 convention.” This means cabinet is supposed to contain the premier plus two MLAs from Yellowknife, two from “southern” districts in the Dehcho and South Slave, and two from “northern” districts.
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Semmler represented one of the six northern districts – Inuvik Twin Lakes – while her interim replacement as health minister, Lucy Kuptana, represents another as the Nunakput MLA.
That meant the four options were Rodgers, Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely, Monfwi MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong and Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo.
When Speaker of the House Shane Thompson asked candidates to stand, only Rodgers rose. He was duly acclaimed. His move into cabinet will be formalized through a motion in the legislature later.
His portfolio is not yet clear. That will be up to Simpson, who gets to decide which of his ministers does what.
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“I trust that I’ve demonstrated the respect I have for members of this House as well as my willingness and ability to collaborate with colleagues,” Rodgers said in a short speech to colleagues following his acclamation.
He pledged to “work with all MLAs in all ridings” and thanked the people who help him to do the work despite it meaning more time away from his home and family.
There is “no silver bullet” for the territory’s challenges, he said, but MLAs could make progress by listening and sharing ideas.
