Northwest Territories- Joe Handley

 

 

Hon. Joe Handley
MLA, Weledeh
Premier
Minister of the Executive
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation

Weledeh MLA, Joseph (Joe) Handley, is the eighth Premier of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Handley was first elected as the Member for Weledeh in the 14th Legislative Assembly on December 6th, 1999 after serving as a Deputy Minister for the Government of the Northwest Territories for more than 14 years.

In January 2000, Mr. Handley was appointed Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Financial Management Board and Minister Responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. In November 2001, Mr. Handley was appointed Minister of Transportation and Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation.

Born on August 9, 1943 in Meadowlake, Saskatchewan, Mr. Handley moved to the Northwest Territories in 1985 to assume the position of Deputy Minister of Education with the Government of the Northwest Territories. He has also served as the Deputy Minister for the Departments of Renewable Resources, Transportation and Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development as well as the President of the NWT Housing Corporation.

Prior to moving north, Mr. Handley was the official trustee and superintendent of the Frontier School Division in Manitoba for nine years. He was an Assistant Professor at both the University of British Columbia and the University of Manitoba.

He served for two years as a lecturer at the Cape Coast University and Winneba Teacher Training College in Ghana, West Africa and was a teacher and vice-principal at schools in Saskatchewan.

Mr. Handley and his wife Theresa have two children Michael and Michelle and four grandchildren who all live in Yellowknife.

 

 

Premiers of the Northwest Territories since 1980

Under the consensus government system used in the N.W.T. and Nunavut, the premier and cabinet are chosen by legislature members following a general election. The most recent election was Nov. 24,2003.

There are no political parties in the 19-seat legislature. The premier and cabinet introduce legislation, which is then scrutinized by the remaining members and debated until consensus is achieved.By convention, the N.W.T. cabinet is composed of two members from the far north, two from Yellowknife and two from the south.

The elected head of government in the Northwest Territories has only been called Premier since 1994.

Before 1980, the head of government in the Northwest Territories was not elected, but was a Commissioner appointed by the federal government of Canada.

 

Premier Term of Office
Joe Handley 2003 to
Stephen Kakfwi 2000 to 2003
Jim Antoine 1998 to 2000
Don Morin 1955 to 1998
Nellie Cournoyea 1991 to 1995
Dennis Patterson 1987 to 1991
Nick Sibbeston 1985 to 1987
Richard Nerysoo 1984 to 1985
George Braden 1980 to 1983

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