Premier of the Northwest Territories
Encyclopedia
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, who are appointed by a Lieutenant-Governor or Commissioner on the basis of their leadership of a majority bloc in the legislature, the Premier of the Northwest Territories is elected, along with the cabinet
, by the non-partisan members
of the Legislative Assembly, in accordance with the system of consensus government
, and then appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
.
Before 1994, the term "Government Leader" was officially used instead of "Premier," but the title of Premier was later retroactively applied to Government Leaders starting with George Braden
in 1980, and had been in informal use for several years, based on the historical precedent set by Frederick W. A. G. Haultain
, who used the title of Premier of the North West Territories
from 1897 to 1905 .
The current Premier of the Northwest Territories is Bob McLeod
.
Premier (Canada)
In Canada, a premier is the head of government of a province or territory. There are currently ten provincial premiers and three territorial premiers in Canada....
for 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...
,
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...
. He or she is the territory's 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...
and de facto chief executive, although the powers of the office are considerably less than those of a provincial premier.
Unlike provincial premiers, who are appointed by a Lieutenant-Governor or Commissioner on the basis of their leadership of a majority bloc in the legislature, the Premier of the Northwest Territories is elected, along with the 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 :...
, by the non-partisan members
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
of the Legislative Assembly, in accordance with the system of 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....
, and then appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
Commissioners of Northwest Territories
The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories is the Canadian federal government’s representative in Northwest Territories and the territory's Chief Executive Officer...
.
Before 1994, the term "Government Leader" was officially used instead of "Premier," but the title of Premier was later retroactively applied to Government Leaders starting with 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...
in 1980, and had been in informal use for several years, based on the historical precedent set by Frederick W. A. G. 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...
, who used the title of Premier of the North West Territories
History of Northwest Territories
The History of the Northwest Territories has been a struggle for responsible government, provincial rights, and social development.-Pre-Confederation history:The territories were purchased from the Hudson's Bay Company.-History 1869 - 1876:...
from 1897 to 1905 .
The current Premier of the Northwest Territories is 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:...
.