YELLOWKNIFE — A man who started as a bureaucrat for the Northwest Territories is now running the government he used to work for.
Bob McLeod, once hired as the deputy minister of industry, trade and investment, was chosen the territory’s new premier by his fellow legislature members in a secret ballot.
“It feels great,” said McLeod, who became minister of the department in the last assembly after he successfully ran for a seat.
“This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time.”
The N.W.T. held its most recent general election Oct. 3. Under the rules of its consensus government, which has no political parties, the premier is chosen by newly elected MLAs.
That vote was taken Wednesday after speeches by the three candidates and questions from their colleagues. McLeod and the assembly were to pick the cabinet Wednesday afternoon.
Those who don’t become ministers will function as a kind of official Opposition.