NWT Premier RJ Simpson has announced changes to several cabinet ministers’ portfolios, including the creation of a new role.
In a Monday press release, Simpson said the changes are “intended to better align leadership across government” to support the priorities of the 20th Legislative Assembly.
“Now that we’re more than a year into this government’s mandate, it’s a good time to take stock and make adjustments to ensure we’re set up to deliver,” Simpson said in a statement. “Northerners expect a government that gets things done, and that’s what we’re focused on.”
According to the release, Caroline Wawzonek will continue as minister of the Department of Finance, deputy premier and minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. She will now take on a new position as minister responsible for strategic infrastructure, energy and supply chains.
The release states the new role “will provide focused political leadership for major nation-building projects such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway, Slave Geological Province Corridor and Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion,” which the NWT government said “are critical to advancing economic growth, energy security, climate resilience and Arctic sovereignty.”
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Justice, infrastructure and homelessness
Jay Macdonald will continue to be minister of Environment and Climate Change and will take over the justice portfolio and role as government house leader from Simpson.
Vince McKay will continue to be minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and will take over the infrastructure portfolio from Wawzonek. He will also retain responsibility for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission as well as the Public Utilities Board.
Responsibility for the territory’s homelessness strategy will move from the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs to Housing NWT. Lucy Kuptana is the minister responsible for the housing corporation while Simpson is the minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs.
Monday’s release stated the change is “part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination and support around homelessness and housing needs.”
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New deputy minister, associate deputy minister
Simpson further announced changes to the bureaucracy to support the cabinet shuffle.
He said Gaeleen MacPherson will be appointed as associate deputy minister of both strategic infrastructure, energy and supply chain and the Department of Infrastructure effective April 1. The release states MacPherson has more than 20 years experience in the mining industry.
Cathy Maniego will replace Steve Loutitt as deputy minister of Infrastructure. Monday’s release states Maniego has nearly 25 years experience working in Alberta’s public service while Loutitt is retiring after more than 35 years working in the NWT government.
“By making these changes, we’re improving how we work together, ensuring each file gets the attention it deserves, supporting strong leadership across departments, and making space to move key projects forward,” Simpson stated.
“I want to thank Steve Loutitt for his many years of dedicated service, and I’m pleased to welcome Cathy and Gaeleen into their new roles as we keep building momentum across government.”
