INUVIK - NWT Premier Floyd Roland won't run in the next election because he's lacking the necessary passion to continue working as a politician, he said.

NWT Premier Floyd Roland won't run in the next election because he's lacking the necessary passion to continue working as a politician, he said. - NNSL file photo

Roland has been premier since October 2007 and announced on May 18 to the legislative assembly that he will not seek re-election this fall. He has been a member of the legislative assembly for Inuvik Boot Lake since 1995. After 16 years as a politician, he's ready for a break.

"My heart wouldn't be in it. I wouldn't do justice to the community," Roland said. "If I came back, my energy levels aren't as high as they should be. You need to have the fire in the belly."

In 1995, Roland ran in his first territorial election and won against incumbent Fred Koe. He won again in 1999 and then was acclaimed to the position in 2003 and 2007.

During this session, Roland has had his fair share of controversy, both personal and political. In February 2009, he scraped through a vote of no confidence by 10 to 8. Regular MLAs said he did not communicate major policy decisions about the supplementary health benefits policy, a loan to Discovery Air, approval of the Deh Cho Bridge and the amalgamation of public service boards.

He also faced a potential conflict of interest in 2009 when it was revealed he had an extramarital affair with a clerk of the legislative assembly, at the time it was suspected the clerk may have passed on confidential information from committee meetings to Roland. A hearing later exonerated her of the accusations.

Roland said he is continuing in the trend set by previous premiers, who have rarely sought a second term.

"It's almost like they make you premier and then put you out to pasture," Roland said. "You learn the ropes as a regular MLA, learn the committees, join the cabinet and then become premier."

Despite reaching the pinnacle of territorial politics, Roland said he never looked ahead of the next term, simply accomplishing what he could while he was elected.

"I figured that if I think about the job and apply myself, I should get elected again and so far it has proved successful for me," he said. "When I put my name forward as premier, I said I would bring big change and bring a better future than we had. It was a lot of work and took a lot of energy."

In his remaining months, Roland and the GNWT will work on completing the work plan for devolution and clean up the files on the Mackenzie Gas Project and the Mackenzie Valley Highway. He will play host to the western premiers from June 20 to 22 and attend a council of confederation in July. As well he will welcome Prince William and his new bride Catherine Middleton to the NWT in June.

Prior to joining territorial politics, Roland worked as an automotive mechanic with the Department of Public Works and ran an outfitting tourism company in Inuvik. He entered politics at the community level, starting first with the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee, the Western Arctic Tourism Association and Inuvik town council as councillor and deputy mayor.

Roland has no plans yet as to what he will do after the election, but says he will look for work.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.