Justice Minister Louis Sebert survives vote to oust him from N.W.T. cabinet

Justice Minister Louis Sebertwill keep his job as minister for theNorthwest Territories, after seven members voted for, and 11against removing him from cabinet at the Legislative Assembly Wednesday.

MLA for TuNedh-Wilideh Tom Beaulieuoriginally planned to introduce the motion to oust Sebert Thursday; itcame a day earlier than expected.

MLAsTom Beaulieu, Julie Green, Shane Thompson, KieronTestart, Kevin O'Reilly, Michael Nadli and Cory Vanthuyne voted to remove Sebert.

I could do a better job as minister.- Louis Sebert

The other four regular MLAsFrederick Blake Jr., R.J. Simpson, DanielMcNeely, HerbertNakimayak voted alongside cabinet against removing the minister.

Beaulieuintroduced the motion Wednesdayas a response to ministers unanimously stating they would not voluntarily step down from the non-bindingconfidence vote during the midterm review.

During the Oct. 5 midterm review the first in 20 years MLAs cast a secret confidence vote on each member of cabinet. Sebert was the only minister to lose the confidence of the House.

• MLAsexpected to vote on N.W.T. Justice Minister Louis Sebert's spot in cabinet
• N.W.T. Minister of Justice LouisSebertloses confidence vote after midterm review

On Wednesday, contrary to the secret ballot,members of the assembly took turns andpublicly declaredtheir support, or opposition to the motion. Even before the official vote, it was clear that Sebertwould keep his job.

"This is a distressful conversation for the minister, and it is for me as well," said Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green, addressing the assembly Wednesday before the vote.

"Itdidn't have to be this way, had the cabinet taken the direction of the non-confidence motion."

"I would be the first to admit that I could do a better job as minister," said a composedSebertto the assembly, following several statements from memberscriticizing his performance.

Sebert continued to say that "all members of both sides of this house share in the government's success and bear responsibility for its failings."

"I still think the intention of the midterm review... was the right one," said Sebert.

"But I now wonder if putting as much focus on a midterm review as we did meant we as an assembly failed to take advantage of other opportunities."