November 10, 2011 - Premier Bob McLeod today announced the appointments of Ms. Sheila Bassi-Kellett as Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Mr. David Stewart as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Ms. Bassi-Kellett is currently the Associate Deputy Minister of Human Resources, where she has been responsible for leading work to stabilize service delivery as part of the Fixing the Foundation goal of the GNWT’s strategic human resources plan, 20/20: A Brilliant North. Prior to her appointment with Human Resources, Ms. Bassi-Kellett was Assistant Deputy Minister with Municipal and Community Affairs. Ms. Bassi-Kellett has extensive experience in community and governance development, including positions working on the GNWT’s Community Transfer Initiative and as a self-government negotiator with the GNWT, as well as past experience as the Senior Administrative Officer of the Hamlet of Fort Norman (now Tulita). Ms. Bassi-Kellett takes over from Mr. Tom Williams who recently transferred to the position of Deputy Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Stewart is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister of Executive Operations with the Department of Executive, where he has been responsible for overseeing the GNWT’s strategic and business planning activities. He has also been responsible for leading the recent Shelter Policy Review, as well as the GNWT’s work on addressing poverty.  Prior to his appointment with the Executive, Mr. Stewart was the Territorial Statistician and worked many years in the NWT Bureau of Statistics. Mr. Stewart takes over from Mr. Jeff Polakoff, who had previously announced his retirement from the territorial public service.

For more information:

Shaun Dean
Deputy Secretary, Corporate Communications and Protocol
Department of Executive
Government of the Northwest Territories

Tel: (867) 669-2304