List of Northwest Territories premiers
Encyclopedia
The Premier of the Northwest Territories
is a title given to the head of government
in the Northwest Territories
of Canada
when the territory is using an elected system of responsible government
. Throughout its history, the territory has been governed by various combinations of locally elected governments and administrators appointed by the federal government of Canada.
Upon creation, the Northwest Territories were governed by Manitoba's Lieutenant Governor
, a representative of the federal government and the Queen of Canada for the newly created province of Manitoba
. Six years later in 1876, the territory was given its own Lieutenant Governor, separate from that of Manitoba. These Lieutenant Governors presided over an assembly with members both elected and appointed by the federal government. Before 1888, the territory required electoral districts with an area of 3000 square kilometres (1,158.3 sq mi) to contain at least 1,000 people. When this quota was met, a by-election
was held to elect a member to replace an appointed one.
The Northwest Territories held its first general elections to a territorial legislative assembly in 1888 when it considered the population to be sufficient. After this election, the Chairman of the assembly's Executive Committee (analogous to a cabinet
) assumed the role of head of government. From 1898 to 1905, the chairman used the title "premier", the same title used by the heads of government in the Canadian provinces.
In 1905, the provinces of Saskatchewan
and Alberta
were created from the most populous regions of the Northwest Territories. With a much lower population, powers of the territory's head of government reverted back to a federal and Crown representative appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada
, this time with the title "Commissioner of Northwest Territories". Beginning in 1951, and increasingly in 1967, powers were transferred back to an elected assembly. In 1980, the head of this assembly regained the title of premier, and in 1985 the premier became chair of the Executive Council and full head of government.
Because the Northwest Territories has a consensus government
, the Premier is elected by and from the members of the Legislative Assembly, and are not divided into parties. This list contains only those government leaders who governed under an elected system of responsible government
. For the heads of government before and in between these times, see List of Commissioners of Northwest Territories.
(1991–1995, born 1940). The most recent former premier to die was Goo Arlooktoo
(1998), on April 30, 2002.
Premier of the Northwest Territories
The Premier of the Northwest Territories is the first minister for the Northwest Territories,Canada. He or she is the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although the powers of the office are considerably less than those of a provincial premier.Unlike provincial premiers,...
is a title given to the head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
in the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
when the territory is using an elected system of responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
. Throughout its history, the territory has been governed by various combinations of locally elected governments and administrators appointed by the federal government of Canada.
Upon creation, the Northwest Territories were governed by Manitoba's Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba is the viceregal representative in Manitoba of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
, a representative of the federal government and the Queen of Canada for the newly created province of Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. Six years later in 1876, the territory was given its own Lieutenant Governor, separate from that of Manitoba. These Lieutenant Governors presided over an assembly with members both elected and appointed by the federal government. Before 1888, the territory required electoral districts with an area of 3000 square kilometres (1,158.3 sq mi) to contain at least 1,000 people. When this quota was met, a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
was held to elect a member to replace an appointed one.
The Northwest Territories held its first general elections to a territorial legislative assembly in 1888 when it considered the population to be sufficient. After this election, the Chairman of the assembly's Executive Committee (analogous to a cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
) assumed the role of head of government. From 1898 to 1905, the chairman used the title "premier", the same title used by the heads of government in the Canadian provinces.
In 1905, the provinces of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
and Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
were created from the most populous regions of the Northwest Territories. With a much lower population, powers of the territory's head of government reverted back to a federal and Crown representative appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
, this time with the title "Commissioner of Northwest Territories". Beginning in 1951, and increasingly in 1967, powers were transferred back to an elected assembly. In 1980, the head of this assembly regained the title of premier, and in 1985 the premier became chair of the Executive Council and full head of government.
Because the Northwest Territories has a consensus government
Consensus government
Consensus government is a form of consensus democracy government in Canada in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, as well as Nunatsiavut, an autonomous area in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
, the Premier is elected by and from the members of the Legislative Assembly, and are not divided into parties. This list contains only those government leaders who governed under an elected system of responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
. For the heads of government before and in between these times, see List of Commissioners of Northwest Territories.
Premiers of the Northwest Territories
| Premier Premier of the Northwest Territories The Premier of the Northwest Territories is the first minister for the Northwest Territories,Canada. He or she is the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although the powers of the office are considerably less than those of a provincial premier.Unlike provincial premiers,... |
Period | Assemblies | Elections | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| See List of lieutenant-governors of Northwest Territories for the heads of government before 1888. | ||||||
 |
— | Robert Brett Robert Brett Robert George Brett was a politician and physician in the North-West Territories and later Alberta, Canada.... (Chairman of the Lt. Governor's Advisory Council) |
June 30, 1888 November 7, 1891 |
1st (NW) 1st North-West Legislative Assembly The 1st North-West Legislative Assembly lasted from 1888 to 1891. This Assembly was the third in the history of the Northwest Territories. The Assembly marked a huge milestone bringing responsible government to the territory for the first time.-Background:... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 1888 The Northwest Territories general election of 1888 was the first general election in the history of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Elections were held in various districts between 20 June and 30 June 1888... June 30, 1888 |
|
 |
— | Frederick Haultain Frederick W. A. G. Haultain Sir Frederick William Alpin Gordon Haultain was a lawyer and a long serving Canadian politician and judge. His career in provincial and territorial legislatures stretched into four decades... (Chairman of the Executive Committee) |
November 7, 1891 1897 |
2nd (NW) 2nd North-West Legislative Assembly -External links:*... 3rd (NW) 3rd North-West Legislative Assembly The 3rd North-West Legislative Assembly was the fifth meeting of the Northwest Territories Legislature, it lasted from 1894 to 1898. Several important developments happened during this Assembly... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 1891 The Northwest Territories general election of 1891 was held on 7 November 1891 to elect twenty five members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, Canada. It was the second general election in the Northwest Territories' history. The legislature gained three seats, and six new... November 7, 1891 Re-elected Northwest Territories general election, 1894 The Northwest Territories general election of 1894 held 31 October 1894. This was the third general election in the history of the Northwest Territories, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the writs were dropped on 3 October 1894... October 31, 1894 |
|
| 1st | Frederick Haultain (Northwest Territories Liberal-Conservative Party Northwest Territories Liberal-Conservative Party The Northwest Territories Liberal-Conservative Party also known formally as the Liberal-Conservative Association prior to 1903 and the Territorial Conservative Association after 1903, was a short lived political party in the Northwest Territories, Canada. from 1897-1905... ) |
October 7, 1897 August 24, 1905 |
4th (NW) 4th North-West Legislative Assembly 4th North-West Legislative Assembly was the 6th meeting of the Northwest Territories Legislature, it lasted from 1898 to 1902. This was also the first new council after creation of the Yukon from the extreme North West portion of the territories on June 13, 1898.-External links:*... 5th (NW) 5th North-West Legislative Assembly The 5th North-West Legislative Assembly lasted from 1902 until dissolution in 1905. This would be the largest membership of any Assembly to date in the Northwest Territories and the only one that truly had political parties, it would also be the last one to be fully elected and have a speaker until... |
Re-elected Northwest Territories general election, 1898 The Northwest Territories general election of 1898 took place on 4 November 1898. This was the fourth general election in the history of the Northwest Territories, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.... November 4, 1898 Re-elected Northwest Territories general election, 1902 The Northwest Territories general election of 1902, occurred on 21 May 1902 and was the fifth general election in the history of the Northwest Territories, Canada. It was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. This was the last election held until 1951,... May 21, 1902 |
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| See List of Commissioners of Northwest Territories for the heads of government between 1905 and 1980. | ||||||
| 2nd | George Braden George Braden George Braden was a politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada. Elected as "Government Leader", Braden would retroactively become the second Premier of the Northwest Territories, after a motion was passed in 1994 to change the official title.-Political career:Prior to seeking election as... Before 1994, the position was officially known as Government Leader; however, the territory has retroactively applied the title of Premier. |
June 16, 1980 January 12, 1984 |
... | Designated June 16, 1980 | ||
| 3rd | Richard Nerysoo Richard Nerysoo Richard Nerysoo is a territorial level politician from Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Canada. He was a member of the Northwest Territories Legislature from 1979 to 1995 and briefly served as the third Premier and Speaker of the territories.... |
January 12, 1984 November 5, 1985 |
10th 10th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 10th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly was the 17th assembly of the territorial government held between 1983 and 1987.-3rd Session:... ... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 1983 The Northwest Territories general election, 1983 was the 15th general election in the Northwest Territories history. The election took place on November 21, 1983.... November 21, 1983 Resigned November 5, 1985 |
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| 4th | Nick Sibbeston Nick Sibbeston Nick G. Sibbeston is a Canadian Senator. He attended residential school in Fort Simpson, Providence, Inuvik, and Yellowknife, and the University of Alberta where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees.-Political career:... |
November 5, 1985 November 12, 1987 |
... | Designated November 5, 1985 | ||
| 5th | Dennis Patterson Dennis Patterson Dennis Glen Patterson is a politician and lawyer. He served as MLA for Frobisher Bay and Iqaluit from 1978 to 1995, as NWT Minister of Education, Justice and Municipal Affairs and was chosen as the fifth consensus Government Leader of Northwest Territories, Canada from 1987 to 1991... |
November 12, 1987 November 14, 1991 |
11th 11th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 11th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly was the 18th assembly of the territorial government from 1987 to 1991.-By-elections:At least 2 by-elections occurred in this Assembly.-External links:*... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 1987 The Northwest Territories general election, 1987 was the 16th general election in the history of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The election took place on October 5, 1987.This was the last election in which Elections Canada would administer the elections.... October 5, 1987 |
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| 6th | Nellie Cournoyea Nellie Cournoyea Nellie Cournoyea, OC is a former Canadian politician, who served as the sixth Premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995... |
November 14, 1991 November 22, 1995 |
12th 12th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 12th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly was the 19th assembly of the territorial government and lasted from 1991 until it was dissolved in 1995.-External links:*... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 1991 The Northwest Territories general election, 1991 was the 17th general election in the Northwest Territories history. The election took place on October 15, 1991.Twenty four members were elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.... October 15, 1991 |
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| 7th | Don Morin Don Morin Don Albert Morin was the seventh Premier of Northwest Territories, Canada.-Scandal:The initial complaints that led to the investigations by the ethics commissioner were filed with the Northwest Territories ethics commissioner by MLAs Jane Groenewegen and Jeannie Marie-Jewell... |
November 22, 1995 November 26, 1998 |
13th 13th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 13th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly was the 20th assembly of the territorial government and it lasted from 1995 to 1999. This assembly was dissolved due to the creation of Nunavut.-External links:*... ... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 1995 The Northwest Territories general election, 1995 was the 18th general election in the Northwest Territories history. The election took place on October 16, 1995. This was the last election before the Northwest Territories was split in two with the creation of Nunavut.The big issue this election was... October 16, 1995 Resigned November 26, 1998 |
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| Acting | Goo Arlooktoo Goo Arlooktoo Goo "Mosa" Arlooktoo was a politician and former cabinet minister from Northwest Territories, Canada... |
November 26, 1998 December 10, 1998 |
... | Appointed Acting Premier | ||
| 8th | Jim Antoine Jim Antoine James L. "Jim" Antoine is a former politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 2003. During his time in office he lead the Northwest Territories government as the eighth Premier from 1998 to 2000... |
December 10, 1998 January 17, 2000 |
... 14th 14th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 14th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly was the 22nd assembly of the territorial government. This assembly lasted from 1999 until its dissolution in 2003. This was the first assembly in the new Northwest Territories that was split in half to create Nunavut... ... |
December 10, 1998 Re-elected Northwest Territories general election, 1999 The Northwest Territories general election, 1999 took place on December 6, 1999, and was the 19th general election in the history of the Northwest Territories, Canada. This was the first election under the new boundaries that were created when Nunavut was carved out of the Northwest Territories... February 15, 1999 Resigned January 17, 2000 |
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| 9th | Stephen Kakfwi Stephen Kakfwi Stephen Kakfwi is a Canadian politician and the ninth Premier of the Northwest Territories.- Early life :... |
January 17, 2000 December 10, 2003 |
... | Designated January 17, 2000 | ||
 |
10th | Joe Handley Joe Handley Joseph "Joe" L. Handley, MLA is a former teacher and civil servant and was the tenth Premier of the Northwest Territories, Canada.-Early life:Handley was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan... |
December 10, 2003 October 19, 2007 |
15th 15th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 15th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly is the 23rd sitting legislature or council in Northwest Territories history. It lasted from 2003 until September 3, 2007. The primary membership was elected in the 2003 Northwest Territories general election... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 2003 The Northwest Territories general election, 2003 was the 20th general election in the Canadian territory's history, conducted on November 24, 2003, to elect the 19 members of the Legislative Assembly.The election was called on October 27... November 24, 2003 |
|
| 11th | Floyd Roland Floyd Roland Floyd K. Roland, MLA is a politician from Northwest Territories, Canada. He was the 11th Premier of the Northwest Territories, having held office from October 17, 2007 to October 26, 2011.... |
October 19, 2007 October 26, 2011 |
16th 16th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 16th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly is the 24th sitting legislature in Northwest Territories history. The membership of this Assembly was decided by the 2007 Northwest Territories general election held on October 1, 2007 to elect 19 members.... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 2007 The 2007 Northwest Territories general election took place on October 1, 2007. It was the 21st in the history of the territory. Nineteen members were elected to the Legislative Assembly from single member districts conducted under first-past-the-post voting system.The election was called on... October 1, 2007 |
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| 12th | Bob McLeod Bob McLeod (politician) Bob McLeod is a Canadian politician. He is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and currently the 12th Premier of the Northwest Territories having held that position since October 26, 2011.-Early life:... |
October 26, 2011 present |
17th 17th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly The 17th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly will be established by the results of the 2011 Northwest Territories general election on October 3, 2011. It will be the 25th sitting of the Assembly in the territories history... |
Elected Northwest Territories general election, 2011 The 2011 Northwest Territories general election, the 22nd in its history, took place on October 3, 2011. Nineteen members were returned to the 17th Legislative Assembly from single member districts conducted under first-past-the-post voting system.... October 3, 2011 |
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Living former premiers
As of October 2011, ten former premiers are alive, the oldest being Nellie CournoyeaNellie Cournoyea
Nellie Cournoyea, OC is a former Canadian politician, who served as the sixth Premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995...
(1991–1995, born 1940). The most recent former premier to die was Goo Arlooktoo
Goo Arlooktoo
Goo "Mosa" Arlooktoo was a politician and former cabinet minister from Northwest Territories, Canada...
(1998), on April 30, 2002.
| Name | Term | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| George Braden George Braden George Braden was a politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada. Elected as "Government Leader", Braden would retroactively become the second Premier of the Northwest Territories, after a motion was passed in 1994 to change the official title.-Political career:Prior to seeking election as... |
1980–1984 | November 04, 1949 (age 62) |
| Richard Nerysoo Richard Nerysoo Richard Nerysoo is a territorial level politician from Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Canada. He was a member of the Northwest Territories Legislature from 1979 to 1995 and briefly served as the third Premier and Speaker of the territories.... |
1984–1985 | |
| Nick Sibbeston Nick Sibbeston Nick G. Sibbeston is a Canadian Senator. He attended residential school in Fort Simpson, Providence, Inuvik, and Yellowknife, and the University of Alberta where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees.-Political career:... |
1985–1987 | November 21, 1943 (age 68) |
| Dennis Patterson Dennis Patterson Dennis Glen Patterson is a politician and lawyer. He served as MLA for Frobisher Bay and Iqaluit from 1978 to 1995, as NWT Minister of Education, Justice and Municipal Affairs and was chosen as the fifth consensus Government Leader of Northwest Territories, Canada from 1987 to 1991... |
1987–1991 | December 30, 1948 (age 63) |
| Nellie Cournoyea Nellie Cournoyea Nellie Cournoyea, OC is a former Canadian politician, who served as the sixth Premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995... |
1991–1995 | March 04, 1940 (age 71) |
| Don Morin Don Morin Don Albert Morin was the seventh Premier of Northwest Territories, Canada.-Scandal:The initial complaints that led to the investigations by the ethics commissioner were filed with the Northwest Territories ethics commissioner by MLAs Jane Groenewegen and Jeannie Marie-Jewell... |
1995–1998 | |
| Jim Antoine Jim Antoine James L. "Jim" Antoine is a former politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 2003. During his time in office he lead the Northwest Territories government as the eighth Premier from 1998 to 2000... |
1998–2000 | |
| Stephen Kakfwi Stephen Kakfwi Stephen Kakfwi is a Canadian politician and the ninth Premier of the Northwest Territories.- Early life :... |
2000–2003 | November 07, 1950 (age 61) |
| Joe Handley Joe Handley Joseph "Joe" L. Handley, MLA is a former teacher and civil servant and was the tenth Premier of the Northwest Territories, Canada.-Early life:Handley was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan... |
2003–2007 | August 09, 1943 (age 68) |
| Floyd Roland Floyd Roland Floyd K. Roland, MLA is a politician from Northwest Territories, Canada. He was the 11th Premier of the Northwest Territories, having held office from October 17, 2007 to October 26, 2011.... |
2007–2011 | November 23, 1961 (age 50) |
See also
- List of Northwest Territories general elections
- Commissioners of the Northwest Territories
- List of lieutenant governors of the Northwest Territories