SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Michael Ballantyne, former Yellowknife mayor and long-time MLA passed away, leaving his wife Penny, their three children, Erin, Alexandra and Nicholas, as well as a legacy that will live on in the North.

Michael A. Ballantyne was a respected leader in the NWT, starting his career in Yellowknife where he served as city councillor, mayor and MLA. He passed away on Wednesday. - NNSL file photo

Ballantyne was born in Toronto in 1945 to a military family. After the family moved to the North, Ballantyne's father was the first director of the former Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in Yellowknife.

George Braden, a close friend of Ballantyne, spoke about the early days he and Ballantyne enjoyed during the building boom in Yellowknife in the early 1970s after it was designated the capital city.

"There was lots of work for young guys," said Braden.

"We met and spent a lot of time together with a bunch of other young 20-somethings who didn't have marriages or mortgages or babies. Just drank a lot of draft beer in the Gold Range and had a lot of fun," he added with a laugh.

Braden said Ballantyne had a passion for travel, spending time in Africa, South America, the United States and Europe as well as Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

"That's the kind of guy he was. He liked adventure," said Braden.

When Ballantyne worked as a loader operator at Giant mine, he became involved with the union and was instrumental in getting benefits for the workers, which sparked an interest in politics.

Ballantyne became a city councillor in 1978, mayor from 1979 to 1983 and an MLA for 12 years starting in 1983.

Braden recalls helping Ballantyne with his first campaign to gain a seat as a city councillor.

"We mounted a big campaign and the slogan I remember was, 'Ballantyne is a pal of mine,'" said Braden.

Ballantyne came in second in the election, just behind prominent municipal politician Larry Babiuck. "We were just astounded he got all those votes. I think it was a testimonial to Mike being so popular, but also to a crowd of young people looking for new people to represent them in city politics," Braden said. "He bridged a gap with the veterans that were in city politics."

With flags flying at half-mast last week and flowers laid under Ballantyne's portrait in the speakers gallery in the legislative assembly, the influence the former MLA and Speaker of the house had on the North and the government was evident.

Tim Mercer, clerk of the legislative assembly, said Ballantyne had a role in territorial politics at a critical time in the history of the NWT.

"(Ballantyne) was Speaker of the legislative assembly when the assembly first adopted its permanent home at its current site," he said.

"He presided over the very first sitting of the assembly in this building."

Paul Delorey, current Speaker of the legislative assembly, a role Ballantyne was elected to in 1991, said Ballantyne left not only a legacy at the legislative assembly, but a lasting impression.

"He was very knowledgeable, a very entertaining man. He had all kinds of stories to tell about the North. There was never a dull moment with Mike, that's for sure," he said, adding Ballantyne was extremely knowledgeable about political issues and the diamond industry.

NWT Supreme Court Justice John Vertes said he was proud to call Ballantyne a friend.

"He was truly what I would call a Renaissance man in the sense that he had not only a vast interest in political issues, but a vast interest and knowledge in world affairs, culture and a particular interest in all things to do with the North," he said.

Vertes said Ballantyne was instrumental in moving the government to be more responsible to the people of the NWT as opposed to Ottawa and more sensitive to aboriginal culture.

One major contribution Vertes said was Ballantyne's role in changing the way jury trials in the North were conducted. During his time as minister of Justice in the 1980s he made it possible for aboriginal people who did not speak English or French to serve on a jury. A training program was established for court interpreters, which meant court could be held in the communities.