Former health administrator guilty of sex crimes
McClelland, who helped develop the North's healthcare system, pleaded guilty

by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 16/97) - A former executive director of Mackenzie Regional Health Services pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of sexual assault.

Nelson McClelland, of Yellowknife was convicted of indecent assault stemming from incidents that date back to the summer of 1982 when the victim was a youth. He was also convicted of a series of sexual assaults that occurred between January 1983 and December 1987.

He was arrested at his Yellowknife home Jan. 12.

Don Ellis, former assistant deputy minister of health, said McClelland played a major role in the development of health care in the NWT.

McClelland was executive director of Mackenzie Regional Health Services from April 1995 to November 1996, when the position was eliminated.

He was also a member of several health boards and served as president of the Health Care Association of the NWT.

McClelland is facing one further sex-related charge that has been deferred to a later date.

A publication ban protects the identity of the victim.

Released on bail after his arrest in January, McClelland won't be in custody until he is sentenced Aug. 27.