Katie May
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 02, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Premier Floyd Roland transferred his responsibilities as finance minister to deputy premier Michael Miltenberger in an NWT cabinet shuffle announced Monday afternoon.

Miltenberger is set to take over Roland's five-year tenure on the Department of Finance, a move Roland said has been in the works for months.

"I felt that I need to focus on my duties as premier and, as I said in my budgetary address, on getting the message out about the North to those who need to hear it," the premier said Monday, adding the financial portfolio requires much time and hard work.

"With the role of premier I was not able to put as much effort and time into it."

Roland will keep his job as minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.

Miltenberger, who also picked up the Environment and Natural Resources and Financial Management Board Secretariat portfolios, was "best suited" for the job, Roland said.

Miltenberger's former Worker's Compensation Board responsibility goes to Norman Yakeleya and Michael McLeod picks up the NWT Housing Corp. portfolio.

McLeod takes over transportation while Yakeleya assumes municipal affairs.

Roland said he tried to ensure each minister would have a balanced workload.

"I'm happy with the way it's laid-out now - time will tell."

Ministerial responsibilities

Michael Miltenberger

• Deputy Premier
• Minister of Finance
• Minister Responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat
• Minister of Environment and Natural Resources

Michael McLeod

• Minister of Public Works and Services
• Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation
• Minister of Transportation

Norman Yakeleya

• Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs
• Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation
• Minister Responsible for the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission
• Minister Responsible for Seniors
• Minister Responsible for Youth

Senior public service changes:

Debbie Delancey, current deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, becomes deputy minister of Human Resources, effective July 10, 2008.

Tom Williams, current chief operating officer with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, appointed associate deputy minister of Human Resources, effective Sept. 2, 2008.

Jeff Polakoff, current president of the NWT Housing Corporation, becomes deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, effective July 10, 2008.

Jeff Anderson, current vice-president of Finance and Strategic Investments for the NWT Housing Corporation, appointed acting president of the corporation, effective July 10, 2008.

Bronwyn Watters is appointed deputy minister of the Department of Justice where she is currently acting in that position,

Gary Bohnet is appointed deputy minister of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources where he is currently acting in that position.

Margaret Melhorn, deputy minister of finance, appointed deputy minister for the Financial Management Board Secretariat.

Sandy Kalgutkar, director of budgeting and evaluation at the Financial Management Board Secretariat, becomes deputy secretary to the financial management board.