Three vie for NWT premier

At least three candidates are expected to vie for the premier’s office in the Northwest Territories and play the lead role in trying to wrest greater control over land and resources from the Canadian government.

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger, who fell short in his bid four years ago, and Industry Minister Bob McLeod are seen as front-runners, while Norman Yakeleya, the Sahtu member of the legislative assembly, has declared his candidacy.

The vote to succeed Floyd Roland, who did not contest the NWT election on Oct. 3, is expected to take place later this month.

All 19 members of the non-partisan legislature vote to choose a new leader, which is followed by the selection of six cabinet ministers.

The lone upset of the election was the defeat of Transportation Minister Michael McLeod, although resignations will see five new faces in the assembly.

The new government, like many before it, will continue the drawn-out quest for greater NWT control over resources and reduce the region’s financial dependence on the federal government.

Former Premier Joe Handley said the NWT government is seen as becoming increasingly “marginalized,” left to administer health, education and justice programs, while political direction and vision comes from the federal government and aboriginals.

Nelson Wiseman, a University of Toronto political science professor, said the NWT continues to be divided between aboriginal communities that are already functioning under self-government agreements and those that prefer to deal directly with the Canadian government.

But he said residents will count on the NWT government to build stronger ties with Fist Nations groups and to protect the development of resources.

—Gary Park