Northwest Territories

:For other geographical names that use the term "Northwest," see Northwest.

Politics

As a territory, the Northwest Territories has fewer rights than the provinces do. During his term, Premier Kakfwi pushed to have the federal government accord more rights to the territory, including having a greater share of the returns from the territory's natural resources go to the territory. http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030703.wnwt0703/BNStory/National/ Devolution of powers to the territory was an issue in the Northwest Territories general election, 2003, and has been ever since the territory began electing members in 1881.

Related Topics:
Provinces - Northwest Territories general election, 2003

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The Commissioner of the NWT is the chief executive and is appointed by the federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The position used to be more administrative and governmental but with the devolution of more and more powers to the elected assembly since 1967 the position has become symbolic. Since 1985 the Commissioner no longer chairs meetings of the Executive Council (or cabinet) and the federal government has instructed commissioners to behave like a provincial lieutenant-governor. Unlike lieutenant-governors, the commissioner is not a formal representative of the Queen of Canada.

Related Topics:
Commissioner - Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development - Cabinet - Lieutenant-governor - Queen of Canada

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Unlike provincial governments, the Government of the Northwest Territories does not have political parties, except for the period between 1898 and 1905. It is a consensus government called the Legislative Assembly. This group is composed of one democratically elected member from each of the nineteen constituencies. After each general election, the new parliament elects a premier and speaker by secret ballot. Seven MLAs are also chosen as cabinet ministers, with the remainder forming the opposition. The territory's most recent general election was on November 24, 2003. The head of state for the territories is a Commissioner appointed by the federal government. The Commissioner had full governmental powers until 1980 when the territories were given greater self government. The legislature then began electing a cabinet and Head of Government later known as the Premier.

Related Topics:
Most recent general election - November 24 - 2003 - Commissioner - Cabinet - Premier

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The Premier of the Northwest Territories is Joe Handley. The member of Parliament for the Western Arctic, the riding that comprises the Northwest Territories, is Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

Related Topics:
Premier of the Northwest Territories - Joe Handley - Ethel Blondin-Andrew

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Aboriginal issues

Aboriginal issues in the NWT include the fate of the Dene who, in the 1940s, were employed to carry radioactive uranium ore from the mines on Great Bear Lake. Their cancer rates skyrocketed due to lack of safety procedures that were available to their white colleagues.

Related Topics:
Dene - Uranium - Great Bear Lake

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Another issue is historic racial tension based on the bloody history between the Dene and the Inuit, who nevertheless have taken recent steps towards reconciliation.

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Land claims in the NWT culminated with the creation of the Inuit homeland of Nunavut, the result of the largest land claim in Canadian history.

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Another land claims agreement with the Dogrib nation created a region within the NWT called Tli Cho, between Great Bear and Great Slave Lakes, which will give the Dogrib their own legislative bodies, taxes, resource royalties, and other affairs, though the NWT will still maintain control over such areas as health and education. This area includes the only diamond mines in Canada.

Related Topics:
Dogrib - Tli Cho

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