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Government in the Northwest Territories
OBJECTIVE
Students will learn about the evolving roles and responsibilities of government in the Northwest
Territories (NWT).
KEY WORDS
federal, territorial, provincial, municipal, local, self-government, elected representatives, Member of the
Legislative Assembly (MLA), consensus government, Legislative Assembly, premier, executive council
members, departments, cabinet, regular members, appointed representatives, devolution
QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE DURING THIS LESSON
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How are responsibilities divided among the levels of government?
Which processes influenced the development of government in the Northwest Territories?
How is government structured in the NWT?
What roles and responsibilities are associated with the levels of government in the NWT? How
are they different from those of the provinces?
What are the territorial governments’ departments and what are their functions?
How is your life affected by government?
SUPPLEMENTARY TOOLS
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Video: Levels of Government
PowerPoint 1: Government in the Northwest Territories
Worksheet 1.1: What’s in a Name?
Handout 1.2: Evolution of Government in the NWT
Handout 1.3: Northwest Territories Timeline
Handout 1.4: Government Responsibilities
Worksheet 1.5: Government in the Northwest Territories
Worksheet 1.6: Exploring NWT Government Departments
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Hook: 15-20 min
The geographic area and borders of the Northwest Territories have had a long and interesting history. At
one point, the NWT’s boundaries covered one-third of the country. The most recent geographic changes
happened in 1999, when the territory of Nunavut was created out of the eastern part of the Northwest
Territories. When Nunavut (“our land” in Inuktitut) was formally created, the Northwest Territories
considered changing its name. Ideas for a new name included Denendeh (“land of the people” in Slavey)
and Nunatsiaq (“beautiful land” in Inuktitut).
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1. Divide students into groups and tell them to imagine they are part of a planning committee which has
been given the responsibility to rename the Northwest Territories.
2. Each group must come up with a new name that everyone in the group must agree on. If time permits,
students can also design a logo and/or slogan. Ask students to fill out Worksheet 1.1.
3. Give students an opportunity to share their name and logo/slogan with the rest of the class.
4. Have a closing class discussion about the group work and consider the following questions:
 How did they come up with a final decision? What was the process?
 Did everyone agree immediately or did it take some time? Was it challenging to reach
agreement?
 Was everyone happy with the final decision? Why or why not?
 Does the name reflect the culture and identity of the Northwest Territories and all those who call
it their home?
Instruction: 20-25 min
1. The government of Canada is structured into three main levels: federal, provincial/territorial and
municipal/community. Each level has its own representatives and leaders, and set of responsibilities. The
federal government takes responsibility for national and international matters, the territorial
government manages regional concerns, and community governments take care of local matters.
However, there is also some overlap of responsibilities where different levels of government work
together.
In addition, there are other types of government in certain Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal
governments replace, overlap, or share certain responsibilities with the government of their
province/territory or the federal government. The term that describes an Aboriginal community gaining
greater control over its own affairs is known as self-government.
2. On November 23, citizens will elect representatives (chosen through a vote) to the Legislative
Assembly, the main governing body at the territorial level in the NWT. This level of government is made
up of 19 elected officials, called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Each MLA represents a
different area in the Northwest Territories, called an electoral district.
3. The style of government in the Northwest Territories is very unique. It is one of only two
provinces/territories in Canada with a consensus system of government. MLAs do not belong to political
parties. Instead, they are elected as independent representatives. However, a consensus style of
government does not mean unanimity (that every MLA agrees on a topic). Instead, it stands for a more
open style of communication between MLAs, ideally as equals.
4. Shortly after the election on November 23, the elected members hold a territorial leadership meeting.
By secret ballot, the new MLAs elect from amongst themselves one member to fill the position of
speaker and another to become premier. They also choose six other members to be executive council
members, also known as cabinet ministers. The remaining members are called regular members and act
as the “unofficial opposition” by keeping the executive council accountable as representatives.
5. The members meet at the Legislative Assembly building in Yellowknife to create and amend laws, and
act as spokespersons for their constituents (those living in their electoral area or area they represent).
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When the Legislative Assembly is not sitting, members meet with their constituents to discuss their
concerns.
6. The Legislature of the NWT has not always had control over its own regional matters and
responsibilities but has gradually received powers from the Canadian federal government. The transfer
of control over certain responsibilities is known as devolution of power. See Handout 1.4 for more
information on the processes that shaped the evolution of the government of the NWT, the devolution
of powers, and remaining differences between provincial and territorial authority.
Teacher Note: Show PowerPoint 1: Government in the NWT to provide examples of the different
government levels, other governance structures, and the differences between provincial and territorial
jurisdiction.
Activity: 15-20 min
1. Using Handout 1.2 or Handout 1.3, have your students create a visual timeline of events displaying the
devolution of power to the NWT. Younger students may find the material more accessible if they are
asked to illustrate the events using only Handout 1.3 You can make the exercise more challenging for
older students by letting them solely consult the text-based Handout 1.2.
2. Each student can make their own timeline, or the class can be broken up into groups responsible for
different historical periods. If the class is divided into groups for this activity, have them present their
timeline by historical order.
3. Display the timeline(s) on a bulletin board.
Teacher note: The bulletin board can also be a designated space for all election-related information (such
as news clippings, candidate brochures and literature or voting information) during the election period.
Debrief: 5-10 min
Have a brief closing discussion about government in the Northwest Territories.
• What have you learned about government in the Northwest Territories?
• Which level of the Canadian government (or other type of governments) do you think should be
responsible for education? Healthcare? Natural resources? Language and culture?
• How does the territorial government impact your life?
• Is government important? Why or why not?
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
A. Review the list of responsibilities for each level of government and help your students personalize the
last column to include other types of government in and around your community (Handout 1.4).
B. Individually or in pairs, ask students to fill out Worksheet 1.5 using online resources or by recalling
what they learned in this lesson.
C. Have students draw a community picture or map and label five government services (e.g., school,
park, hospital, roads, cars, police officer). The label should include the level(s) of government or type of
government and the responsibility.
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D. Research a few laws passed or amended by the territorial government. Have students analyze their
pros and cons and think about members of the community impacted by the law. This can be completed
in groups, individually or as a class. The Northwest Territories Gazette – available at
www.justice.gov.nt.ca – records all legislation, notices and orders of the NWT and would be a good place
to start any research.
E. Divide students into pairs or small groups and assign each one a territorial government department
(Worksheet 1.6). Ask each group to research their department using the government’s website:
www.gov.nt.ca/departments
Ask each group to create a short presentation or skit about the role and responsibilities of their
department (e.g., What objectives do they have? What type of programs or services do they offer? How
do they aim to help people? Are responsibilities of this department shared with other types of
government in the region?). Give each group an opportunity to present their department without
announcing its name and have the rest of the class guess which department they are presenting.
Students can make notes after each presentation using Worksheet 1.6.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
What type of government system is used in the government of the NWT?
Consensus government is used at the territorial level. Elected officials do not belong to political parties.
Instead, they are elected as independent representatives.
Consensus government does not mean unanimity. After all, bills and laws pass through the Legislature
with a simple majority of votes. Consensus in the NWT symbolizes a harmony of interests, a willingness
to engage as equals and a more open style of communication between representatives.
Representatives at the territorial level in NWT are called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
When MLAs meet in the Legislative Assembly for the first time after an election, the speaker of the
Legislature and leader of the government are elected by secret ballot. The leader of the government is
called the premier. MLAs also choose six other members to be executive council members, also known
as cabinet ministers. The remaining members are called regular members and act as the “unofficial
opposition” by keeping the executive council accountable as representatives.
How is the territorial government structured?
The government of the Northwest Territories is divided into three branches: legislative, executive and
judicial.
The legislative branch creates and amends laws, rules and regulations under territorial jurisdiction. The
legislative branch is made up of elected representatives called Members of the Legislative Assembly.
There are currently 19 MLAs and each represents a different geographic area called an electoral district
(also known as a riding or constituency).
When the Legislature is sitting (in session), MLAs are responsible for proposing, studying, debating and
voting on bills (potential laws), and raising issues put forward by their constituents. When the Legislature
is not sitting, MLAs meet with their constituents (people living in the electoral districts they represent) to
discuss the constituents’ concerns and to provide guidance and advice relating to government services.
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The executive branch consists of the premier and six cabinet ministers (all comprised of members of the
legislative branch). The executive branch implements and enforces laws, rules and regulations. Each
cabinet minister is in charge of one or more of the territorial departments and acts as an advisor to the
premier and the Legislature in their area of expertise. The executive branch is thus also referred to as the
Cabinet.
The judicial branch interprets the law, rules and regulations and punishes those who violate them. The
judicial branch of government is headed by the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and four
appointed judges. The court system of the Northwest Territories is responsible for deciding who has
broken the law and for dispensing the appropriate punishment for the crime committed.
What is the role of the NWT Commissioner?
The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories is appointed by the Governor-in-Council of Canada on
the recommendation of the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. The Commissioner of the NWT
acts as the federal government’s representative in the NWT and is the Northwest Territories’ Chief
Executive Officer.
Similar to the province’s Lieutenant Governors, the Commissioner is responsible for swearing in MLAs to
the Legislature, swearing in members of the Executive Council, opening sessions of the Legislative
Assembly, approving laws and bills that pass through the Legislative Assembly and signing other
important documents, such as Orders in Council.
In addition to performing these legislative duties, the Commissioner serves as a link between the
government and the people. The Commissioner will often attend events and play a ceremonial role as a
representative of the Government of the Northwest Territories.
What are other forms of government in the NWT?
There are many different types of government in the NWT other than those of the Canadian state. The
majority of these are Aboriginal governments and they replace, overlap or share the responsibilities of
other levels of the Canadian government.
For example, a 2003 agreement between the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council (Tłįchǫ), the government of
Canada and the territorial government of the NWT outlined a region between Great Bear and Great
Slave Lakes, where the Tłįchǫ’s own legislative and law-making authorities manage taxes, subsurface
resources, education, health, and other affairs such as adoption, child and family services, training,
income support, social housing, and Tłįchǫ language and culture. This agreement also provides the Tłįchǫ
with a share of the Canadian government’s royalties from resource extraction in the Mackenzie Valley
and capital transfer payments of $152 million over 14 years from the Canadian government.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
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Government of the Northwest Territories — www.gov.nt.ca
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories — www.assembly.gov.nt.ca
Devolution in the NWT— www.devolution.gov.nt.ca
Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations — www.daair.gov.nt.ca
Elections NWT — www.electionsnwt.ca
Departments of the NWT — www.gov.nt.ca/departments
Office of the Commissioner of the NWT — www.commissioner.gov.nt.ca
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