SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
While many voters in the NWT opted for change during the Nov. 23 territorial election, MLAs chose to stay the course for premier, re-electing Yellowknife South MLA Bob McLeod to an unprecedented second term.

Premier Bob McLeod addresses media after his successful bid for to become the first MLA to become premier a second time. - Walter Strong/NNSL photo

He defeated his only challenger, Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy, in a vote held at the legislative assembly on Wednesday. Since 1979, the first year all MLAs in the territory were elected, no one has ever sought a second term as premier. It also means that the two most powerful politicians in the territory are brothers. Michael McLeod, Bob's younger brother, became the MP for the territory when the Liberals swept to power on Oct. 19.

Bob McLeod faced reporters inside the Great Hall shortly after winning the vote.

"It feels good. It's been a long haul. It was pretty close. I think the difference was that people realized we are going to have some pretty difficult situations and I think ... the need for an experienced hand and ability to make change and manage change made a difference," McLeod said, adding that his staff jokes that he knows half of everyone in the territory.

"Plus I'm related to the other half so that benefited me."

McLeod bristled ever so slightly when asked how he could represent change as an incumbent.

"Why would you say that?" McLeod asked the reporter. "I was re-elected as part of ... the change movement. I spent my whole career making change. I know change is difficult to do. You have to manage change to make sure it successfully happens."

McLeod proposed last week that his cabinet would have a new minister responsible for transparency and democratic engagement if he were re-elected premier. He conceded that the government has not done a good job of communicating its programs and policies to the public in the past.

"People don't understand our programs," said McLeod. "They don't even know that we have programs that exist. Information that we put out there - they say that it's not in a useful format. We need to work on those areas."

Abernethy, who was selected for cabinet later in the day, insisted he was not overly upset he had lost.

"Winning is better obviously. I'm not disappointed. Nobody likes to lose. I still have a lot to offer. I'll continue to make a difference for people in the NWT," he said.

"Bob McLeod is an amazing man. He's done an awful lot of work in this territory for decades.

"He's passionate about where we are going and what we need to get done. I'm looking forward to working with him for the next four years." said Abernethy.

Michael McLeod said MLAs had a difficult choice in picking the premier in that both candidates had a lot to offer.

"Bob comes to the table with a lot of experience, a lot of time in the government. In all elections, somebody's got to win and somebody's got to lose. I think the results were pretty close and Bob has managed to get the confidence of most of the members so I am happy for him," he said.

Michael was not prepared to say his position as MP helped his brother win a second term as premier.

"Bob comes with a lot of credibility on his own. I didn't intervene at all with the process. He didn't ask me for any assistance. I cheered him on from the sidelines."

Michael McLeod's boss, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, congratulated the elder McLeod on his victory in an e-mailed statement.

"I look forward to working with Premier McLeod in a spirit of openness and collaboration to address the unique challenges and opportunities of the NWT," Trudeau wrote.

"Moving forward, some of our priorities will include addressing the high cost of living, improving health services, ensuring affordable housing, investing in climate change preparedness and discussing additional means to support economic development, including through investment and infrastructure."

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