From the turn of the century, the federal government appointed Commissioners from the senior ranks of the civil service in Ottawa. These people usually were deputy ministers of a department which had some involvement in the North. The deputy ministers carried out their Commissioner's duties along with their own departmental responsibilities.
Under John Parker, the position of Commissioner became more like that of a provincial Lieutenant Governor. This transition coincided with the Legislative Assembly's elected members and its cabinet assuming greater authority and responsibility from the federal government. Commissioner Parker transferred the last of his authorities over Assembly matters to the Legislative Assembly in January of 1986.
The current Commissioner of the Northwest Territories is Honourable Gerald Kisoun and the current Deputy Commissioner is Ms. Abbie Crook
Past Commissioners of the NWT
|
Commissioners |
Date Appointed |
Date Retired |
| Margaret Thom | June 14, 2017 | April 19, 2024 |
| George L. Tuccaro | May 28, 2010 | May 10, 2016 |
| Anthony W.J. Whitford | April 22, 2005 | April 28, 2010 |
| Glenna Hansen | March 31, 2000 | April 7, 2005 |
| Daniel Joseph Marion | March 26, 1999 | March 31, 2000 |
| Helen Maksagak | January 16, 1995 | March 26, 1999 |
| Daniel L. Norris | October 2, 1989 | September 30, 1994 |
| John Havelock Parker | April 15, 1979 | July 31, 1989 |
| Stuart Milton Hodgson | March 2, 1967 | April 6, 1979 |
| Bent G. Sivertz | July 12, 1963 | January 16, 1967 |
| R. Gordon Robertson | November 15, 1953 | July 12, 1963 |
| Maj. Gen. Hugh A. Young | November 14, 1950 | November 15, 1953 |
| Dr. Hugh L. Keenleyside | January 14, 1947 | September 24, 1950 |
| Dr. Charles Camsell | December 3, 1936 | December 3, 1946 |
| Hugh H. Rowatt | March 31, 1931 | April 30, 1934 |
| William W. Cory | June 27, 1919 | February 17, 1931 |
| Lt. Col. Frederick D. White | August 24, 1905 | 1919 |
Past Deputy Commissioners of the NWT
|
Deputy Commissioners |
Date Appointed |
Date Retired |
| Gerald W. Kisoun | Oct, 2011 | Dec, 10, 2017 |
| Margaret Thom | June 2, 2005 | Oct, 2011 |
| Anthony (Tony) Whitford | October 21, 2004 | April 22, 2005 |
| Cal Mains | October 25, 2001 | June 11, 2004 |
| Vacant | March 27, 1999 | October 25, 2001 |
| Daniel Joseph Marion | July 19, 1995 | March 26, 1999 |
| Helen Maksagak | March 3, 1992 | December 21, 1994 |
| Ann Hanson | October 26, 1987 | March 3, 1992 |
| Agnes Semmler | September 17, 1984 | October 26, 1987 |
| Robert S. Pilot | November 8, 1979 | December 9, 1983 |
| John H. Parker | March 2, 1967 | April 14, 1979 |
| Stuart M. Hodgson | August 1, 1965 | March 1, 1967 |
| Wilfred G. Brown | April 10, 1957 | July 23, 1965 |
| Frank J.G. Cunningham | June 26, 1951 | April 10, 1957 |
| Roy A. Gibson | June 16, 1921 | October 3, 1950 |