Premier RJ Simpson said on Thursday his government had created a “senior envoy to the Government of Canada” designed to raise the NWT’s profile in Ottawa.
The first envoy in the role is Joe Dragon, who was previously the principal secretary – a senior aide – in Simpson’s office.
Dragon will have a presence in both Yellowknife and Ottawa and will report to the premier, the NWT government said in a Thursday news release.
The GNWT did not announce a direct replacement as principal secretary but instead said Kyla Kakfwi-Scott would become Simpson’s chief of staff.
The territory characterized that role as more in keeping with how other Canadian premiers’ offices are staffed, and one that would offer “expanded leadership in operational and political support within the Premier’s Office.”
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Kakfwi-Scott was previously deputy secretary in Dragon’s office.
Simpson was quoted as saying Dragon’s new role would allow the GNWT to “respond to political change in Ottawa and work to capitalize on the renewed interest in Canada’s North,” an apparent reference to the focus on Arctic resources and defence since the Trump administration began destabilizing the region.
The premier said Kakfwi-Scott would bring a “deep commitment to the North, extensive knowledge of government operations and experience leading high-profile initiatives.”
