Rebecca Alty becomes NWT’s first federal minister since 2006

Prime Minister Mark Carney has made newly elected NWT Liberal MP Rebecca Alty his minister of Crown-Indigenous relations.

Alty had been Yellowknife’s mayor since 2018 before winning April’s race to replace Michael McLeod as the territory’s MP.

Carney, himself born in the NWT, revealed his cabinet on Tuesday morning at a Rideau Hall ceremony. He named 24 new faces among his ministers.

The prime minister has reintroduced the concept of secretaries of state, a junior ministerial designation last used in 2008. Alty is among the 28 senior cabinet members, while 10 secretaries of state are also appointed.

Ethel Blondin-Andrew, also an NWT Liberal MP, was the last representative of the territory to serve as a minister.

Blondin-Andrew held various roles in Ottawa, the last being minister of state for northern development from 2004 to 2006.

Outgoing NWT MP McLeod voiced his desire for a cabinet role multiple times but was not selected by Justin Trudeau.

“It did come up a bit on the campaign trail,” Alty told Cabin Radio on election night when asked about her ministerial aspirations.

“People were like, ‘I’d want you on cabinet so that you can push hard.’ So yeah, it would definitely be something that I’d consider, because you then are at the table and are able to raise the issues more.

“The drawback is, of course, that you’re not in the constituency as much.”

On the same night, Garett Cochrane – a Yellowknife city councillor who is also part of the territory’s Liberal organization – said joining cabinet was “one of the most important things any MP can do within the lifespan of their career.”

“Because of the unique aspect of our region, with our population size, it becomes all the more important that we are sitting around the most important decision-making table in the country,” Cochrane said.

Gary Anandasangaree previously held the Crown-Indigenous relations role.

Alty will be responsible for the agency that handles Canada’s relations with First Nations, Inuit and Métis, as well as administering the Indian Act and related legislation.

Cirnac, as the agency is known, is also responsible for Giant Mine, a toxic former gold mine on the edge of Yellowknife that is the subject of a $4-billion federally led remediation project. Cirnac also looks after broader remediation responsibilities in the North.

Elsewhere, Rebecca Chartrand – representing Churchill–Keewatinook Aski – becomes the minister of Arctic affairs and will also hold responsibility for CanNor.

Among other appointments of note in the North:

• Dominic LeBlanc retains intergovernmental affairs;
• David McGuinty is the new national defence minister with Bill Blair dropped;
• Edmonton’s Eleanor Olszewski takes on the emergency management and community resilience portfolio;
• Mélanie Joly becomes industry minister; and
• Mandy Gull-Masty, a Nunavik MP, becomes minister of Indigenous services.

You can read the full list of ministers on the prime minister’s website.

In a statement, NWT Premier RJ Simpson welcomed the appointment of a northern and Arctic affairs minister and Alty’s inclusion in cabinet.

Alty “brings valuable experience and a deep understanding of the Northwest Territories,” Simpson wrote.

“I look forward to working with her to advance land claims and self-government agreements – essential foundations for reconciliation, economic growth, and long-term stability.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Dene National Chief George Mackenzie said by email: “We are pleased with the appointment of former Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

“Her understanding of Northern issues and her commitment to the well-being of our communities make her a capable choice for this important role for the Dene and Indigenous Nations.”

Mackenzie also welcomed the appointments of Chartrand and Gull-Masty.

“We are optimistic that these new ministers, with their Indigenous backgrounds and experiences with Northern issues, will be strong partners in advancing the rights and interests of our peoples,” he stated.