'We tried ... to no avail:' N.W.T. premier says she gave ousted minister 2nd chance

N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane says the decision to removeKatrina Nokleby from cabinet demonstratesjust how difficult itis to serve as a minister.

"It's certainly not an easy job, and this reinforced it," Cochranetold Northbeat's Juanita Tayloron Thursday.

It was the premier'sfirst liveinterview since sheannounced last week that shewas stripping Nokleby of her portfolios infrastructure and industry, tourism and investment because she had lost confidence in her abilities as a minister.

Cochrane's decision came as a shock to some people last week. But the premiersaid the issue was "fairly sensitive," and that she wanted all members of the legislature including Nokleby tobe able to speak on the matter first.

"Ithas to be a fair process," she said, adding that while it is her responsibility to give or revoke ministerial portfolios, it is the responsibility of all members to decide whether a minister keeps their cabinet position.

In an emergency sitting of the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly on Wednesday,MLAs stood one after another andspoke harshly about Nokleby's performance from herdamaged relations with the Tch government to "explosive and shocking anger."

Ultimately, 16 MLAs voted to remove the former minister from cabinet; one abstained, and Nokleby herself voted against the motion.

'All people make mistakes'

MLAs put forward a non-confidence motion against Nokleby,the MLA for Great Slave, in the spring, butdropped it before it could goto a vote. At the time, the premier expressed "complete confidence" in theminister, and asked Nokleby to work on the issues her colleagues raised.

When asked why she thought things could change, Cochrane said she believes in giving peoplesecond chances.

"All people make mistakes," the premier said, adding that a proper leader tries to learn from them and move forward.

"We tried. We spent many months working on it, but to no avail."

As for how to heal relationships that some say have been damaged in the wake of the events, Cochrane said "we have work to do."

But she added that she takes her commitment to Indigenous governments seriously, andthinks her government has made progress inits talks with Indigenousleaders.

"Hopefully we'll be able to mend some relationships and move forward," she said.

And with the COVID-19 pandemic still going on, she said she believes it's important for everyone to work together.

"It's time to put aside the bad feelings," she said. "We'rehere to serve the people of the Northwest Territories."

Noklebysays claims based on 'gossip'

When given the chance to address her fellow MLAson Wednesday, Nokleby said she has been "unfairly admonished ... based on nothing more than gossip, hearsay, rumours, and bruised feelings."

She alluded to corruption and "backroom dealings" and said a "toxic culture of secrecy" has not allowed her to defend herself.

While Cochrane had refused previous media requests to talk about her decision, in the legislature on Wednesday she didn't mince words. She alleged Nokleby yelled at staff, expressed "degrading" opinions of public servants to their faces, and threw "continual tantrums" in meetings.

The CBC hasrequested an interview with Nokleby.