GNWT shuffles cabinet in the name of COVID-19

NWT Premier Caroline Cochrane. (CKLB file photo).

The government of the Northwest Territories cabinet is seeing some changes, announces Premier Caroline Cochrane.

This is “to protect the health of NWT residents and communities,” she says in a press release on Thursday.

Diane Thom is named, minister of seniors, and will continue her roles as deputy premier, minister of health and social services, and minister for persons with disabilities.

Caroline Wawzonek is to be named, minister for the status of women, for gender-based policy work, including the development of an action plan on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She will have the added responsibility for the procurement of shared services, which is being transferred from the department of infrastructure to the department of finance.

Shane Thompson is named, minister of the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, and will continue in his roles as minister of environment and natural resources, minister of lands, and minister of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Paulie Chinna is named, minister of municipal and community affairs — a portfolio that was taken over by Cochrane during the height of the pandemic. Chinna is now taking on the role of minister of youth and will continue her roles as minister for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, and minister of homelessness.

Premier Caroline Cochrane, Katrina Nokleby and R.J. Simpson will continue in their assigned roles.

Commissioner Margaret Thom, may revoke appointments, on the advice of the legislative assembly.

These new changes to cabinet took effect on Thursday, July 23.

About the Author

Mariah Caruso
Mariah Caruso is a digital journalist, originally from Toronto, Canada. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Hons. Bachelor of Arts and completed her Journalism post-grad at Sheridan College. She has an insatiable appetite for life, storytelling, connecting to the people, and getting to the heart of the issue. On her spare time, you can find her at your local coffee shop writing songs, poetry and prose or at the gym out-lifting men. If you have a story idea, feel free to send her an email at mariah.caruso@cklbradio.com or call 867-766-2552 Ext 108