Canada's History on your doorstep
Discover a wealth of interesting, entertaining and informative stories in each issue, delivered to you six times per year.
Changing Landscape in the Northwest Territories
Elections in the Northwest Territories are run differently than in other places across Canada. There are no political parties and the candidates run as independents. While the Northwest Territories now has many of the powers and responsibilities that provinces have, it wasn’t always that way. This timeline looks at the evolution of the Northwest Territories' government since joining Canada as part of Rupert's Land in 1870.
1870
Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory are transferred to the government of Canada. The land, which includes present-day Yukon, mainland Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and much of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, was amalgamated and renamed North-West Territories.
1870-1875
The North-West Territories is governed directly by the federal government, who maintains control over most matters, including public land, natural resources, settlement and immigration, and public works.
1876
The North-West Territories is governed by a federally-appointed Lieutenant Governor and Council until 1888. David Laird becomes the first resident Lieutenant Governor in 1876.
1885
Grievances over federal control in the West culminate in the North-West Resistance, led by Louis Riel and the Métis.
1888
The Northwest Territories Act was amended to create a Legislative Assembly, consisting of twenty-two elected members and three non-voting legal advisers. The first general election was held in June, 1888.
You could win a free book!
Sign up for any of our newsletters and be eligible to win one of many book prizes available.
1898
Yukon is created as a separate territory, as the area experiences a population boom in the wake of the gold rush.
1905
The Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan are created to provide more provincial autonomy. However, the now-reduced Northwest Territories is again governed by a federally-appointed Commissioner and council.
1951
The appointed council begins to introduce elected members.
1975
The Northwest Territories obtains its first fully elected Territorial Council of fifteen members.
1988
The territorial government assumes full control of health care.
1999
Nunavut is created as a separate territory under the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act. The modern boundaries of the Northwest Territories are established.
