March 29, 2011 - Former Deputy Minister and Supreme Court Justice Donald M. Cooper is being remembered today by his many friends and colleagues as a remarkable man who made a difference in the lives of many people, both inside and outside of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

“Mr. Cooper was committed to providing the highest-quality advice and ensuring our government made the right decisions for the Northwest Territories,” Premier Floyd Roland said. “His wisdom and expertise was respected and often delivered with well-timed wit and his strong sense of good humour.”

“Justice Cooper believed in the honour of the law and of the institution he served,” said Minister of Justice Jackson Lafferty. “He was committed to maintaining the fundamental values and principles our territory's laws were built on. As Deputy Minister, his devotion to public service was well known and respected by everyone who met him. As a Judge, he was determined to find the best result for everyone who came before him. He listened to them and understood their concerns.”

In 1975, Justice Cooper came north to Yellowknife for what was intended to be a year of adventure. After practicing for almost 20 years, he joined the GNWT in 1995 as the Director of the Legal Division and in March 1996 was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice. In 2008, he was appointed by the federal government as a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. He remained there until his retirement in January 2011.

For more information, contact:

Tara Kearsey
Senior Communications Advisor
Department of Justice
Tel: (867) 920-3130