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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Gordon Robertson, a former commissioner of the Northwest Territories, died last week at age 95.

Gordon Robertson: Served under six prime ministers.

Hailed as one of the most influential public servants of his day for his long and distinguished career with the federal government, Robertson served as commissioner of the NWT from 1953 to 1963 from Ottawa, and went on to rise to the ranks of federal Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet.

Robertson died peacefully on Jan. 15 after a battle with Alzheimer's.

"He was probably Canada's top civil servant and highly intelligent. Very, very competent and totally decent," said later NWT commissioner John Parker, who moved to Yellowknife at the start of Robertson's tenure as commissioner. "He had a good sense of humour and he had a great understanding of people. He was just a very fine person and I think everybody agrees that that was the case."

Robertson was born May 19, 1917, in Davidson, Sask. He attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and began his career as a public servant with the federal Department of External Affairs in 1941.

He served under six prime ministers and, at the age of 36, was appointed deputy minister of the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, and commissioner of the NWT.

"It was during his 10 years as commissioner that the current borders of the Northwest Territories were recommended, and our strong, unified territory owes its beginnings to his leadership," stated Premier Bob McLeod, who said he was saddened by Robertson's passing.

Even after Robertson moved on to the most senior positions in Ottawa, he continued to be an advocate for the North, Parker said.

"He went on to be number one deputy minister and head of the Privy Council, so he had an influence, and he paid attention to what was going on in the North, of course, because he was always interested in it," Parker said. "It was just a very natural thing. He had travelled some in the territory. He was aware of what was going on. He recognized it as an emerging part of Canada and simply continued to be very interested."

In a statement issued on the death of Robertson, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he served Canadians with professionalism and dedication.

"Mr. Robertson will be remembered as a great Canadian and a devoted public servant," Harper stated.

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