Are you working on a project about the Northwest Territories? Here are some frequently asked questions about our government, and links to pages that will help get you started.
How does the government work?
What political party does the Premier
belong to?
Our territorial Legislative Assembly has no political parties. Our system is called consensus government. The government is formed by Members who are not members of a party, but are elected by people in their constituency. There are 19 constituencies in the Northwest Territories and, therefore, there are 19 Members. Soon after an election, the Members choose, from among themselves, one person to be the Speaker and another to be the Premier. Then they choose seven other people to be the Executive Council, which is often called the Cabinet.
Because there are no political parties, each Member can vote as he or she wishes on any subject considered by The Legislative Assembly. Approval of any decision requires agreement by the majority of Members.
Premiers of the Northwest Territories
The head of government in the Northwest Territories has been referred to as Premier since February of 1994. Before then, the head of the government was called the Government Leader.
Elected Leaders
George
Braden June 16, 1980 - January 12, 1984
Richard Nerysoo January 12, 1984 - November 5, 1985
Nick Sibbeston November 5, 1985 - November 12, 1987
Dennis Patterson November 12, 1987 - November 14, 1991
Nellie Cournoyea November 14, 1991 - November 22, 1995
Don Morin November 22, 1995 - November 26, 1998
Jim Antoine December 10, 1998 - January 17, 2000
Stephen Kakfwi January 19, 2000 - December 10, 2003
Joe Handley December 11, 2003 - October 17, 2007
Floyd Roland October 18, 2007 - Present
What do people do? What are the main industries in the NWT?
Mining, government and tourism are the cornerstones of the Northwest Territories economy. Detailed statistics on employment in the NWT are contained in the 2004 NWT Community Survey. The NWT Bureau of Statistics has other reports about the NWT.
What does your flag look like? What are your official symbols?
Follow
this link
to see our flag, official flower and mineral and our other official symbols.
The Legislative Assembly has a site for children which explains how MLAs do their work.
