The Hamlet of Enterprise has been placed into the care of a public administrator by the NWT government over “governance, financial, and operational challenges.”
Enterprise, previously a community of 100 or so people, was badly damaged by a wildfire in 2023 that left only around 16 buildings intact.
The hamlet then endured upheaval in 2024 as multiple councillors resigned, a new mayor lasted just four months in the post and Enterprise’s senior administrator left the role.
In a Wednesday news release, the NWT’s Department of Municipal and Community Affairs said Enterprise will now be managed by public administrator Grant Hood, a former senior administrator of Inuvik.
That appointment dissolves the existing council, relieving the mayor and councillors of their duties for an indefinite period.
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“This exceptional measure has been deemed necessary to stabilize operations, ensure good governance and address the challenges that have faced the Hamlet,” Maca stated.
Communities minister Vince McKay said the hamlet had problems that “urgently” need addressing. The department did not provide specific examples.
“The goal is to ensure the community government is able to meet the needs of its residents,” McKay said in a statement.
“I look forward to making progress so that order and transparency are prioritized and we can ensure a successful transition back to local governance as soon as possible.”
Mike St Amour was acclaimed as the new mayor of Enterprise in December last year. Genevieve Clarke, Lawrence Poitras, Lyne Maisonneuve and Pat Coleman were elected to council. Thirty-eight of the 66 eligible voters in the hamlet cast a ballot.
St Amour could not be immediately reached for comment.
