Katrina Nokleby now minister without a portfolio

Nokleby was stripped of her portfolios on Thursday afternoon.


Katrina Nokleby at the Legislative Assembly. (File photo/CKLB)

Premier Caroline Cochrane says she has lost her confidence in Katrina Nokleby’s “ability to fulfill her responsibilities” as minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Infrastructure.

The premier removed Nokleby’s responsibilities on Thursday afternoon, saying she hadn’t seen any improvement in Nokleby’s performance since the spring.

Asked for specifics on Nokleby’s performance, the premier declined to comment.

At the time, Nokleby briefly faced a vote of non-confidence, which was subsequently rescinded without much explanation.

R.J. Simpson, current minister of Education, Culture and Employment, will take over Infrastructure, while Shane Thompson, current minister of Environment and Natural Resources, and Lands, among others, will take on Industry, Tourism and Investment.

The premier has not said whether the new roles are permanent.

Nokleby maintains her seat on cabinet for now as it’s up to the Legislative Assembly to decide whether she returns to her being a regular MLA for Great Slave.


About the Author

Francis Tessier-Burns
Francis has been a general news reporter with CKLB since January 2019. Originally from rural Ontario, he first came to the NWT in 2016 as an intern with Up Here magazine and fell in love with the North. In his time with CKLB, he's had the immense pleasure and honour of learning about northern Indigenous cultures. Otherwise, you can find him hanging around the Legislative Assembly. If you have a story or want to chat, reach out to francis@cklbradio.com