Tony Whitford a man of great
influence in Canadian politics died on September 16, 2024 at the age of 83
years in Yellowknife, Northwest territories. Able to deliver an exceptional
Samaritan, Tony Whitford was experienced, passionate in public service, and proximate
to the community; his memory will remain etched in the chronicles of the
political history of the North.
Tony Whitford who was born on June
11, 1941, in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories witnessed and played a role in
the evolution of the region. Tony Whitford had been in different capacities throughout his
career, though he was a Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from 2005 to
2010. Tony Whitford for instance was a commissioner appointed by the federal
government to be a representative of the government in the territory but at the
same time was supposed to be a neutral party thus non partisan. Tony Whitford's term
covered two Canadian prime ministers, the late Paul Martin and the incumbent
Stephen Harper and two territorial premiers, Joe Handley and Floyd Roland. Tony Whitford’s service was characterizes by the call for unity, maintaining
cultures of the northern region and advocating for proper development of the
region.
Before joining NWTD commission
Tony Whitford was a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), where he was MLA for Yellowknife
South from 1988 to 1995, and MLA for Kam Lake from 1999 to 2003. Tony Whitford's political
career can best be described as a workaholic who was also an excellent
communicator and physically embodied the welfare of his subjects. Education,
infrastructure and welfare of the community were some of the areas that
received his attention from time to time, especially realizing that he was in
the North, dealing with isolated communities.
Outside political reasons,
people considered Tony Whitford a friendly man. Tony Whitford could be seen most of the times
in a Tim Hortons sipping on coffee while engaging residents on life and
politics. Tony Whitford's love for woodworking especially when it came to carving
birdhouses contributed towards creating the perception of a man who is in touch
with basics.
The
death of the veteran politician has been receiving national attention across
the country with many people coming forward to pay their last respects. Tony Whitford is
survived by his three children; Warren, Blair
and Ian. Discussing Tony Whitford’s performance as a civil servant as well as a
member of the community, one has to admit that he will be remembered as a
hard-working specialist who cared about the Northwest Territories and its
people.
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