Is the cabinet too large?

Nunavut’s newly elected MLAs have good reasons for deciding to elect an eight-member cabinet, a larger number of cabinet members than most had anticipated.

Nunavut’s first government will, of necessity, be an inexperienced government. No matter who it is that MLAs decide to elect today, Nunavut’s premier will more than likely turn out to be someone who has never before served in a territorial legislative assembly. The same will likely be true of those who will end up filling most of the Nunavut government’s seven remaining cabinet positions.

At the same time, most Nunavut government departments are still in an early stage of development. Many departments are still hiring, recruiting, and training senior staff. Many departments are still waiting for office space and staff housing to materialize. Many departments will provide services to Nunavut residents by means of contracts with the Yellowknife government for periods of up to 18 months or longer. All of this will add to the enormous pressures faced by Nunavut’s new cabinet ministers.

It’s wise, therefore, to spread the work of managing Nunavut’s 10 departments among a relatively large number of people. With an eight-member cabinet, most cabinet ministers will be able to get by holding only one departmental portfolio.

On the other hand, the election of a large cabinet leaves the Nunavut legislative assembly with an ordinary member’s caucus that appears to be barely large enough to function.

There are 19 members. Of those, one will serve as speaker, one will serve as premier, and seven will serve in the cabinet.

That leaves 10 ordinary members to keep the government accountable, versus eight cabinet ministers. From among themselves, those 10 ordinary members must form at least three or four legislative committees to scrutinize bills, public accounts, and government policies. Ten members is large enough, but only just large enough to perform those tasks.

It’s too early to say what kind of relationship will develop between the cabinet and ordinary MLAs. But it’s fair to say that in the early days of the legislative assembly, the ordinary members’ caucus will have their hands full keeping the government accountable. JB