Government of the Northwest Territories
| Government of the Northwest Territories | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Established | 28 December 1872 |
| Country | Canada |
| Leader | Premier R.J. Simpson |
| Appointed by | Commissioner Gerald Kisoun |
| Main organ | Executive Council |
| Responsible to | Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories |
| Annual budget | CA$2,500,000,000 |
| Headquarters | Yellowknife |
| Website | gov |
The Government of the Northwest Territories (French: gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest) is the body responsible for the administration of the Canadian territory of the Northwest Territories. In modern Canadian use, the term Government of the Northwest Territories refers specifically to the executive—political ministers of the Crown (the Cabinet / Executive Council) who are appointed on the advice of the premier. Ministers direct the non-partisan civil service, who staff ministries and agencies to deliver government policies, programs, and services. The executive corporately brands itself as the Government of the Northwest Territories.
The Northwest Territories operates as a consensus government.[1] The premier of the Northwest Territories is elected by the Legislative Assembly and ministers are selected by the Legislative Assembly, but their portfolios are assigned by the Premier.[2]
Role of the Federal Government
[edit]The powers of the Crown are vested in the federal government and are exercised by the commissioner. The advice of the premier and Executive Council is typically binding.[3]
Commissioner
[edit]
The Commissioner is appointed by the prime minister of Canada.[4] Thus, it is typically the commissioner whom the premier and ministers advise, exercising much of the prerogative and granting assent.[5]
The executive power is vested in the Commissioner and exercised "in-Council", meaning on the advice of the Executive Council; conventionally, this is the Cabinet, which is chaired by the premier and comprises ministers of the Crown.
Premier and Executive Council
[edit]The term Government of Nunavut, refers to the activities of the Commissioner. The day-to-day operation and activities of the Government of Nunavut are performed by the territorial departments and agencies, staffed by the non-partisan public service, and directed by the elected government.
Premier
[edit]The premier of the Northwest Territories is the primary minister of the Crown. The premier acts as the head of government for the territory, chairs Cabinet, and advises the Commissioner on the exercise of executive power and much of the powers of prerogative. The premier has no powers to dismiss ministers.[6] Once sworn in, the premier holds office until either they resign or removed by the Commissioner after either a motion of no confidence or defeat in their constituency in a general election.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Lamberink, Liny; Dulewich, Jenna (7 December 2023). "Hay River's R.J. Simpson is the new premier of the N.W.T." CBC News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Portfolios announced for N.W.T.'s new cabinet ministers". CBC News. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Commissioner of the NWT". Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ O'Connor, James (19 April 2024). "Inuvik's Gerry Kisoun is new Commissioner of the Northwest Territories". Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Commissioner of the NWT | Legislative Assembly of The Northwest Territories". www.ntlegislativeassembly.ca. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ Williams, Ollie (29 May 2020). "MLAs withdraw bid to remove Katrina Nokleby from cabinet". Cabin Radio. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
