YELLOWKNIFE (May 27, 2015) – Premier Bob McLeod offered his condolences to Ms. Lise Beaudry-Braden and the family and friends of Mr. George Braden today on news of his passing.

Mr. Braden was first elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly as the Member for Yellowknife North in 1979. At the time of his election, the federally appointed Commissioner still had an active role in administering the Government of the Northwest Territories and chaired meetings of the Executive Council, which continued to include appointed members. Mr. Braden became one of the first elected MLAs to serve on the Executive Council of the 9th Assembly and was later selected by his colleagues to become the first Leader of the Elected Executive, a position that later became known as Government Leader and, now, Premier.

“Mr. Braden was a champion for responsible government in the Northwest Territories and blazed the trail we continue to follow,” said Premier McLeod. “His quiet leadership and diplomacy was instrumental in seeing political power in the Northwest Territories transfer from unelected federal officials to the elected representatives of the people and which culminated most recently in the devolution of responsibility for public land and resources in this government.”

As well as Government Leader, Mr. Braden served as Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Justice and Public Services, Minister of Priorities and Planning, Minister for the Status of Women and was co-chair of the NWT Special Committee on the Constitution, which argued for the recognition of Aboriginal rights in Section 35 of the Constitution.

Mr. Braden was Commissioner of the successful NWT pavilion at Expo ’86 and represented the NWT at the federal level as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs following his term in office.

“Throughout his lifetime career as a politician and public servant, Mr. Braden was committed to the development of the Northwest Territories and defender of its interests,” said Premier McLeod. “The Northwest Territories had a good friend in him and I am sorry to hear of his passing.”

A public book of condolences has been placed in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife, where members of the public can offer their own thoughts to the Braden family.

Media inquiries:

Roya Grinsted
Cabinet Communications
Tel: 867-669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca