The 2019 Northwest Territories general election was held on October 1, 2019. Nineteen members were elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
Election On September 6, 2019, Premier Bob McLeod announced that he would not seek re-election.
Four other incumbents announced they would not seek re-election, including three of seven cabinet ministers — Health Minister Glen Abernethy, Housing Minister Alfred Moses, and Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod.
Not counting the three acclaimed MLAs (RJ Simpson, Frederick Blake Jr, and Jackson Lafferty), only four incumbent members out of 11 running won reelection: Kevin O'Reilly, Julie Green, Shane Thompson, and Caroline Cochrane. Cochrane was the only cabinet minister from the 18th Assembly to return to the legislature. Three ridings, including Cochrane's, were subject to automatic recounts due to the narrow margins of victory;"3 ridings heading to recounts in tight Yellowknife races". CBC North, October 2, 2019. however, all of the recounts upheld the original results."Recount confirms Rylund Johnson, Kevin O'Reilly's election wins". CBC North, October 9, 2019.
The election represented a historic breakthrough for women in Northwest Territories politics. The territory had just two female MLAs in the previous assembly, ranking last among all of Canada's elected legislatures for female representation; in the 2019 election, however, the territory elected nine women, representing nearly half of the 19-seat legislature— the highest percentage of female representation in any Canadian legislature.Emelie Peacock, "Push to get women into territorial politics a success". Cabin Radio, October 1, 2019.
New premier and cabinet Given that the territory operates on a consensus government system, MLAs elected on October 1 chose the new premier in the first session of the 19th Assembly. Four MLAs — Jackson Lafferty, R. J. Simpson, Caroline Cochrane and Frieda Martselos — indicated that they would stand for the premiership;John Last, "Frieda Martselos becomes fourth MLA-elect to consider bid for N.W.T. premier". CBC North, October 3, 2019. Cochrane was selected as the premier on October 24.John Last and Sidney Cohen, "Caroline Cochrane elected premier of the N.W.T.". CBC North, October 24, 2019.
Simpson, Paulie Chinna, Katrina Nokleby, Diane Thom, Shane Thompson and Caroline Wawzonek were selected as the cabinet members in the same session of the legislature.Ollie Williams, "Here's who will be in Caroline Cochrane's NWT cabinet". Cabin Radio, October 24, 2019.
Results The Legislative Assembly is run on a consensus government system, in which all MLAs sit as independents and are not organized into political parties. Note, accordingly, that colours in the following charts are used solely to indicate candidate status, not political party affiliations.
Statistics Reelection statisticsSeatsDid not run againDefeatedReelected All MLAs 19 5 7 7
Candidates Candidates by districtDistrictWinnerSecondThirdFourthFifthSixthIncumbentDeh Cho Ronald Bonnetrouge283Michael Nadli253 Michael NadliFrame Lake Kevin O'Reilly357Dave Ramsay346 Kevin O'ReillyGreat Slave Katrina Nokleby454Patrick Scott389Glen AbernethyHay River North R. J. Simpson (Jr.)acclaimed R. J. SimpsonHay River South Rocky Simpson Sr.350Wally Schumann322 Wally SchumannInuvik Boot Lake Diane Thom239Eugene Rees179Desmond Loreen94Jimmy Kalinek47Alfred MosesInuvik Twin Lakes Lesa Semmler470Sallie Ross106Donald Hendrick41Robert C. McLeodKam Lake Caitlin Cleveland262Robert Hawkins224Kieron Testart220Rommel Silverio125Abdullah Al-Mahamud63Cherish Winsor61 Kieron TestartMackenzie Delta Frederick Blake Jr.acclaimed Frederick Blake Jr.Monfwi Jackson Laffertyacclaimed Jackson LaffertyNahendeh Shane Thompson536Mike Drake190Randy Sibbeston111Eric Menicoche40 Shane ThompsonNunakput Jackie Jacobson231Herbert Nakimayak143Annie Steen127Holly Campbell107Sheila Nasogaluak101Alisa Blake48 Herbert NakimayakRange Lake Caroline Cochrane439Hughie Graham421 Caroline CochraneSahtu Paulie Chinna309Daniel McNeely287Caroline Yukon135Wilfred McNeely Jr.120 Daniel McNeelyThebacha Frieda Martselos504Denise Yuhas454Don Jaque139Louis Sebert70 Louis SebertTu Nedhé-Wiilideh Steve Norn206Richard Edjericon130Lila Fraser Erasmus117Paul Betsina103Nadine Delorme9Tom BeaulieuYellowknife Centre Julie Green291Arlene Hache260Niels Konge185Thom Jarvis103 Julie GreenYellowknife North Rylund Johnson501Cory Vanthuyne496Jan Vallillee380 Cory VanthuyneYellowknife South Caroline Wawzonek687Gaeleen Macpherson299 Bob McLeod
References
External links Elections NWT