MLAs announce date and format of Nunavut Leadership Forum

IQALUIT, Nunavut (November 8, 2013) - The Legislative Assembly’s Caucus today announced the date and format for the 2013 Nunavut Leadership Forum. The Forum consists of all MLAs.

The Forum will be held in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly, beginning at 10:00am on Friday, November 15, 2013. The proceedings will be open to the public to observe from the Visitors’ Gallery. The proceedings will be televised live across Nunavut on the Legislative Assembly’s cable broadcast channel.

The selection of the Speaker, Premier and members of the Executive Council (Cabinet) will be made by secret ballot. The first item of business will be the election of the Speaker. The Speaker-Elect will preside over the proceedings of the Forum.

The second item of business will be the election of the Premier. Each nominated candidate will be permitted to deliver a formal speech. MLAs not standing for the position of Premier will be permitted to ask questions of candidates. Detailed procedures concerning the selection process will be issued at the beginning of the Forum’s proceedings.

Caucus agreed that Cabinet will consist of nine (9) members (Premier and eight (8) Ministers). The Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Premier has the prerogative to assign Ministerial portfolios.

The swearing-in ceremony for Members of the 4th Legislative Assembly will take place at 9:30am (EST) on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly.

Formal motions to confirm the appointments of the Speaker, Premier and Cabinet will be made on the first sitting day of the 4th Legislative Assembly, which will take place on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at 1:30pm (EST).

All events will be open to the public to observe from the Visitors’ Gallery and will be broadcast live across Nunavut on the Legislative Assembly’s cable broadcast channel.