November 2, 2011 - Promising a renewed focus on working together to promote the interests of all the people of the Northwest Territories (NWT), Premier Bob McLeod today announced portfolio assignments for the recently chosen Cabinet.

“We have challenges and opportunities ahead of us,” said Premier McLeod. “The people of the NWT are relying on us to work together to seize opportunities and resolve issues. MLAs have selected a Cabinet with a good balance of experienced and new Ministers who will bring their skills and energy to get the job done.”
The Premier assigned the following responsibilities:

• Hon. Jackson Lafferty – Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Minister of Public Works and Services, Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission.


• Hon. J. Michael Miltenberger – Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Financial Management Board, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Government House Leader.


• Hon. Robert C. McLeod – Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Minister Responsible for Homelessness, Minister Responsible for Youth.


• Hon. David Ramsay – Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Minister of Transportation.


• Hon. Glen Abernethy – Minister of Justice, Minister of Human Resources, Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board.


• Hon. Tom Beaulieu – Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Responsible for Seniors, Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities.

Premier McLeod will be Minister of the Executive, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Minister Responsible for Women and Minister Responsible for New Energy Initiatives.

“The recent meeting with Aboriginal leaders in Dettah is an important step in building the consensus we will require to move forward as a territory,” said Premier McLeod. “We are committed to working in partnership with the Members of the Legislative Assembly, Aboriginal leaders, community leaders and all those with a stake in creating a strong and prosperous Northwest Territories.”

In the coming days, Ministers will familiarize themselves with their new portfolios and will continue to take part in the ongoing discussions to establish priorities for the 17th Legislative Assembly. Important parts of that work will occur during mid-November when all MLAs meet to set priorities for the new government and again in December when the Assembly will convene to review the 2012-13 Capital Budget.

Premier McLeod also announced new and continuing appointments in the senior ranks of the NWT public service and thanked Mr. Allen Stanzell and Mr. Drew Williams for their services during the 16th Assembly and transition, as well as Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar, who returns to his position as Deputy Secretary to the Financial Management Board and Director of Management Board Secretariat in the Department of Finance.

For more information:

Shaun Dean
Deputy Secretary, Corporate Communications and Protocol
Department of Executive
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2304