SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Premier Bob McLeod says he has a good mix of experience and enthusiasm on his cabinet now that he's assigned their portfolios.

Housing minister and Range Lake MLA Caroline Cochrane, left, Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy, the MLA from Great Slave, and Premier Bob McLeod applaud as cabinet ministers were sworn in at a ceremony at the legislative assembly on Dec. 17. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo

McLeod himself is taking on the high-profile role of industry tourism and investment minister, held most recently by David Ramsay.

Yellowknifer asked McLeod why he took on the role.

"It's not unusual for a premier to take on significant portfolios, in the past we've had examples of that," he said.

"Also our economy is fragile, if I could use that term right now. I've had experience being the minister of ITI so I think that was part of the reason I kept ITI."

McLeod was ITI minister from 2007 to 2011 in the Floyd Roland government. Roland himself took the finance minister's job when he was premier during the 16th assembly. He added former premiers Stephen Kakfwi and Joe Handley both served as ministers of the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

McLeod, the MLA for Yellowknife South, will remain the minister of aboriginal affairs and intergovernmental relations, and the minister responsible for the public utilities board (PUB).

Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy, who lost to McLeod in the race for premier, retains his post as minister of health and social services, plus human resources, seniors and persons with disabilities will now be under Abernethy's watch.

Rookie Caroline Cochrane, MLA for Range Lake, will assume the portfolios of the NWT Housing Corporation, public works, status of women and is minister responsible for addressing homelessness.

Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Robert C. McLeod is the new finance minister, a position which will keep his hands full, according to McLeod.

"With the downturn in the economy - there are some issues where we will have to find a way to match our revenues with our expenditures," he said.

The premier would not confirm nor deny whether any layoffs may take place in the new year within the territorial government.

"I would have to wait until we get into the discussion. We have a lot of vacant positions within the GNWT and we would have to dig a bit deeper before we cross that bridge."

Fort Smith lawyer and first-term MLA Louis Sebert will take on the newly-created portfolio of minister responsible for public engagement and transparency, among his other positions.

Bob McLeod said Sebert's mandate will be wide ranging, important and

ground-breaking.

"There's three aspects to it: one is improving how consensus government works, also, how we can make our government more transparent and I believe that we need open government and by that I mean the whole way we process and distribute information," said McLeod.

"People ask for programs that we already have in place. We're not providing enough information on the programs we deliver. And how we put information out there so that people understand what it is that government is doing and they don't have misconceptions of how we do business."

The new ministers officially assume their duties at 5 p.m. today.

The premier said they will be brushing up now so that they can hit the ground running in January.

"Ministers will be reading up on their departments and getting briefed over the holidays and once we are back in the new year, we will be getting down to business drawing up a mandate and plans to advance the priorities set out by the 18th Legislative Assembly," McLeod said.

"All ministers are committed to working hard on behalf of NWT residents."

Cabinet of the 18th NWT Legislative Assembly

Glen Abernethy: Health and Social Services, Human Resources, Seniors, Persons with Disabilities, Government House Leader

Caroline Cochrane: NWT Housing Corporation, Public Works and Services, Status of Women, Homelessness

Robert C. McLeod: Deputy Premier, Finance, Lands, Municipal and Community Affairs, Infrastructure

Alfred Moses: Education, Culture and Employment, Youth

Wally Schumann: Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation

Louis Sebert: Justice, NWT Power Corporation, Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, Public Engagement and Transparency

Source: GNWT

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