2nd Northwest Territories Legislative Council
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Northwest Territories Legislative Council was the 9th assembly of the territorial government lasting from the election of 1954
until dissolution in 1957. A total of 4 elected members and five appointed members comprised this council.
. Parker emphasized the danger of northern residents falling victim to the communist propaganda as most of the Inuit did not yet identify Canada as a nation, and other northern residents being susceptible with the limited media coverage that was available in the north at the time.
the who had been recently appointed in the last session made two critical reforms to the way council operated in this session that had lasting implications. The first reform was introduced at the first session held in the Elks Hall at Yellowknife. The amendment to the Rules in Council permitted members of Council to make a reply to the speech from the throne.
The second reform had to do with the Commissioner's lack of Executive Council
. Robertson started putting out references for advice to council members to help guide him on critical issues of the day facing the territories. He wanted an Executive Council to advise him as the Lieutenant Governors had prior to 1897 had and this method was the closest he could to archive that.
The biggest issue dealt with during this session was the question relating sales for Indians and Inuit which had been prohibited under a Northwest Territories law dating back to the Temporary North-West Council
. The Prohibition meant that bootlegging was common place as well as consumption of alternate forms of alcohol such as shoe polish,
anti freeze and vanilla extract resulting in needless deaths and endemic social issues. After debate the council agreed to change the regulations to allow liquor privileges to be the same for everyone. The federal government however disagreed and vetoed the changes.
Northwest Territories general election, 1954
The Northwest Territories general election of 1954 was the seventh general election in the history of the Territories. The election was held on September 7, 1954, this was also the only provincial / territorial election held in Canada that year....
until dissolution in 1957. A total of 4 elected members and five appointed members comprised this council.
Radio broadcasts
John Parker made national news bring the attention of the council to radio broadcasts from Radio Moscow that were being received with greater clarity in most of the Northwest Territories than broadcasts from the Canadian Broadcasting CorporationCanadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. Parker emphasized the danger of northern residents falling victim to the communist propaganda as most of the Inuit did not yet identify Canada as a nation, and other northern residents being susceptible with the limited media coverage that was available in the north at the time.
Reforms
Commissioner Robert Gordon RobertsonRobert Gordon Robertson
Robert Gordon Robertson, PC, CC, FRSC was Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from November 15, 1953 to July 12, 1963 who, having been sworn in at the age of 36, remains the youngest person to ever hold the office...
the who had been recently appointed in the last session made two critical reforms to the way council operated in this session that had lasting implications. The first reform was introduced at the first session held in the Elks Hall at Yellowknife. The amendment to the Rules in Council permitted members of Council to make a reply to the speech from the throne.
The second reform had to do with the Commissioner's lack of Executive Council
Executive Council of the Northwest Territories
The Executive Council of the Northwest Territories or cabinet consists of six Ministers and a Premier elected by the 19 members of the Legislative Assembly.Ministers at present are as follows : PortfolioMinister...
. Robertson started putting out references for advice to council members to help guide him on critical issues of the day facing the territories. He wanted an Executive Council to advise him as the Lieutenant Governors had prior to 1897 had and this method was the closest he could to archive that.
Legislation
The first Legislative Session took place in the basement of the Elks Hall in Yellowknife in the spring of 1954. A total of nine bills were passed, mostly amendments to existing legislation. The second session held in Ottawa saw a total of seventeen bills passed.The biggest issue dealt with during this session was the question relating sales for Indians and Inuit which had been prohibited under a Northwest Territories law dating back to the Temporary North-West Council
Temporary North-West Council
The Temporary North-West Council more formally known as the Council of the Northwest Territories and by its short name as the North-West Council lasted from the creation of Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1870 until it was dissolved in 1876...
. The Prohibition meant that bootlegging was common place as well as consumption of alternate forms of alcohol such as shoe polish,
anti freeze and vanilla extract resulting in needless deaths and endemic social issues. After debate the council agreed to change the regulations to allow liquor privileges to be the same for everyone. The federal government however disagreed and vetoed the changes.