NWT MP Michael McLeod fondly remembers uncle who fought for Canada on D-Day

NWT MP Michael McLeod from his website

The Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, who had a relatively busy week last week, says he took time to remember the 75th anniversary of D-Day and his uncle who fought in the historic battle.

Michael McLeod says his uncle Frank McLeod survived D-Day but has since passed.

McLeod says his uncle was well-known for having taken a dog sled team from his home in Fort Providence to Hay River,  just to volunteer for the Canadian Army during the Second World War.

He points out there was no road between the two communities at the time.

McLeod says his uncle spent much of his time in the war assigned to an armoured tank division.

McLeod’s brother, NWT Premier Bob McLeod, was overseas last week for the ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

While MP McLeod shared his memories of his uncle with CKLB last Friday – he was also making a couple of announcements including the new Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.

He says the modernized program will provide more flexible employment services and enhanced supports for all young Canadians including Indigenous youth.

Employers have until July 26th to take advantage of federal funding to help hire young workers.

McLeod also pledged $305,000 in federal funding to help French-Canadians feel welcome should they choose to relocate to Yellowknife.

About the Author

John McFadden
John has been in the broadcast journalism industry since the 1980s. He has been a reporter in Yellowknife since 2012 and joined CKLB in January of 2018. John covers the crime and court beat as well as reporting on other areas including politics, business, entertainment and sports. He won seven national community newspaper awards while he was a journalist with Northern News Services Limited (NNSL). John worked in Ontario before coming North including stints as a TV sportscaster in Peterborough and senior news writer for CBC and CTV in downtown Toronto.