Twentieth Anniversary of Opening of Legislative Assembly Building Who would have that the Senate would be talking about Bill Barnie this week:) Hon. Daniel Lang: Honourable colleagues, I am pleased to rise today to recognize two members of our Senate family who will be honoured tomorrow during the celebrations in the Northwest Territories marking the twentieth anniversary of the opening of their Legislative Assembly Building. The Legislative Assembly Building in Yellowknife is the most important symbol of government in the Territories and has functioned as a focal public institution since its opening. On November 1, together with the Yellowknife Dene Drummers and the Inuvialuit Drummers, the Legislative Assembly will be unveiling portraits of their former Speakers and former Premiers, hosting a Premiers panel discussion entitled Moments in Time, and enjoying entertainment by Leela Gilday and storytelling by Reneltta Arluk. Honourable colleagues, we are honoured to have two former Premiers of the Northwest Territories within the Senate of Canada family, both of whom will have their portraits hung in the Legislative Assemblys Great Hall. First, I would like to recognize former Premier George Braden, who works as a policy adviser in the Senate. Mr. Braden moved to Yellowknife in 1964 and attended Sir John Franklin High School. He received his BA in political science from the University of Alberta and a Master of Arts from Dalhousie University. Before entering politics, Mr. Braden was a researcher, a planning officer and a consultant with his own business, as well as a policy analyst with the Drury Commission, which studied constitutional development in the Northwest Territories. On October 1, 1979, George Braden became the Northwest Territories first elected leader and served as Premier from July 16, 1980, until January 11, 1984. Premier Braden did not seek re- election. During his time in government, Premier Braden served as Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Minister for the Status of Women. Following his term as Premier, Mr. Braden was in charge of coordinating the Northwest Territories Pavilion in Expo 86 in Vancouver, where he hosted many dignitaries, including Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Mr. Bradens portrait was completed by Mr. Graeme Shaw, and we are pleased that he and his wife, Lise Beaudry, are able to be there for the unveiling. Colleagues, a second former Premier who will be recognized on Friday is our honourable colleague and friend, Senator Dennis Patterson. Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear. Senator Lang: As you may know, Senator Patterson was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1948. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta and his law degree from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. He was admitted to the bar in Nova Scotia and B.C. and worked for legal firms in both provinces before moving to Iqaluit in 1975. Senator Patterson was first elected to the ninth Assembly in 1979, representing the riding of Iqaluit, which was then called Frobisher Bay, and served for 16 years until 1991. Senator Patterson served as Premier from 1987 to 1991. He held numerous ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Education, Minister for the Status of Women, Aboriginal Rights and Constitutional Development, Minister Responsible for the Devolution Office and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Minister responsible for the N.W.T. Science Institution. Following his term as Premier, he was re-elected to the twelfth Assembly in 1991 and served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Minister of Safety and Public Services, and Minister of Health. Senator Patterson is also proud to have served as the first executive director of Iqaluits legal services centre, which employs Inuit paralegal staff and is run by a board of directors. Senator Pattersons portrait was completed by Mr. William Barnie of Yukon. We are pleased that his wife, Evelyn Ross, and his 92-year-old father, Mr. Glen Patterson, will be there to share in the celebrations.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 19:40:54 +0000
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