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NWT
"He was a gentleman in every sense of the word."

James Hutton Robertson succumbed to an infection after a two-year battle with cancer on April 23 in Calgary. He was 74. - photo courtesy of Bill Braden

Calm and thoughtful, with a sharp business sense which he used to grow private ventures throughout the North as well as develop major territorial projects, James Hutton Robertson will be remembered as a steadfast friend, an honourable colleague and a truly Northern businessman.

Robertson succumbed to an infection after a two-year battle with cancer on April 23 in Calgary. He was 74.

His adventures in Canada's North began in 1958 as a 19-year-old Glasgow youth, immersing himself in the fur trade division of the Hudson's Bay Company as a clerk-in-training.

It was another time, worlds away from his home in Scotland. It was during the final seasons of a period in which the Hudson's Bay Company used dog sleds to transport goods. Messages were sent by Morse code since wireless radio had not made its way throughout the country.

Robertson explored every post in northern Canada as a "bay boy," travelling the vast territory, building relationships with the people he encountered and establishing an intimate connection with a place he would in time build up through spearheading the beginning of the territorial power corporation, leading a community as mayor of Inuvik and developing multiple successful businesses and trends.

Robertson watched the Beaufort Delta and the North mature and observed the business world grow. He had a knack for spotting potential opportunities and headed to Inuvik in 1965, left Hudson's Bay Company in 1969 to start his own businesses in the community with his family, wife, and two sons, Bruce and Ian.

He was involved in real estate, ran Mack Travel, Nomad Tours and Place of Man – a clothing distributor. A staple of his business savvy, knowing what would stick, is hanging on racks throughout the North and being worn across the country and beyond – the famous Tuk U logo.

"He was a superb businessman, an incredible entrepreneur," said Pierre Alvarez, colleague, friend and former deputy minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and chair and CEO of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC).

Robertson served two terms as mayor of Inuvik, one from 1973-79 and the next from 1982-83. It was challenging, tumultuous times – during the Berger Inquiry's decision to put a 10-year moratorium on the development of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline which would have opened up the Beaufort Delta to massive economic benefits.

"One of the things I admire so much about Jim is, regardless of how successful he was or how busy he was, he always found time to participate in the community," said Alvarez.

Robertson served as president of the NWT Association of Municipalities, was active in chambers of commerce and was tapped as an adviser to the territorial government on a number of occasions.

Nellie Cournoyea, then premier of the NWT, asked Robertson to chair the newly-formed NTPC in 1988, which he accepted without question.

"He didn't need another job or more work. He recognized the importance of power and power services to the North, and he put his shoulder to the wheel and did a remarkable thing in 18 months," said Alvarez.

Robertson guided the transition of the federal power corporation into the hands of the territory, moving the corporation from Edmonton to Hay River and ensuring it was financially stable as the corporation's first chair and CEO.

"They went from nothing to a building in Hay River, a fully-staff and professionally-managed corporation," said Alvarez.

Cournoyea said she decided Robertson was the man for the job because of his exceptional business ethics, his knowledge of the North and his trustworthiness as a businessman and friend.

"When we were taking over the corporation, we needed to have someone that could look at the ownership transfer of a large corporation more in relationship to the business, the running of the business, rather than a government institution or a Crown corporation," said Cournoyea.

"His business ethics were exceptional in terms of him contributing to community and also to the respect he showed other people, the people that worked for him. It was extraordinary the kind of support he gave to employees and also the support he gave to community as well. Normally when you have someone who looks at the bottom line, you have somebody somewhat distant from community. But he could do them both."

John Parker, former NWT commissioner and a former member of the NTPC board, who worked with Robertson from 1989 until he resigned in 1995, said Robertson gave tremendously strong leadership to the power corporation.

"He helped and was instrumental in building it up to the kind of good corporation that it became. It took on all of the power needs that were required," said Parker.

"He had great foresight in his work."

Robertson stayed at the helm of the NTPC until 1995. He created the joint venture for building the Snare Cascades hydro station – a step toward directing energy from the source to generate revenue for the NWT.

Robertson had a ravenous appetite for business knowledge and although he did not have much formal education, he learned to keep accounts and manage projects.

"He had a capacity to inspire people and to earn their loyalties," said Alvarez.

About 10 years ago, Robertson started spending more time in the southern United States. He had property in Edmonton and also owned a golf course with his son in Kelowna, B.C.

But he never stayed away from the North long.

He built a cabin on Consolation Lake near Yellowknife which he and his family visited in the summers.

"His heart never left the North," said Alvarez.

He was hardworking, got along well with people and always adhered to good business principles – words echoed by friend after friend.

"He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He helped people when they needed help and he never looked for recognition," said Alvarez.

"The North had been good to him and I don't think there were many people who gave back as much as Jim Robertson did."

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