(YELLOWKNIFE) Wednesday, January 6, 2021 – The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Frederick Blake Jr., expresses condolences to the family of former Speaker Paul Delorey, who passed away on January 1, 2021.
The Honourable Paul Delorey was first elected to the 14th Legislative Assembly in 1999 representing the riding of Hay River North. He was subsequently re-elected to the 15th and 16th Assemblies during which he served as Speaker of the House – the first and only Member of the Legislative Assembly to serve consecutive terms in this capacity.
“On behalf of the Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly, I offer my sincere condolences to Speaker Paul’s loving family and friends and the community of Hay River,” said Speaker Frederick Blake Jr. “Although I never served directly with Paul, his legacy lives on in the halls of our Legislature. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was universally respected by his colleagues and staff. He loved the North and its people and worked tirelessly to promote our unique system of consensus government throughout Canada and the world.”
During his time as Speaker, Mr. Delorey established the Mace Tour: a program unlike any other in Canada, where the Mace is taken to remote communities across the Territory. The initiative promotes connection between the Legislative Assembly and residents from all regions, as well as public education on consensus government through firsthand experience and interaction with the Assembly’s Members and officers. Also working towards this goal, Speaker Delorey pioneered the Legislative Assembly Television Network and audio tours of the Legislature.
Prior to entering politics Mr. Delorey worked as a locomotive engineer for Canadian National Railway. He was born in Guysborough, Nova Scotia, and after retirement spent many summers in the community of Larry’s River rebuilding his childhood home. After more than 50 years in the North, he was equally at home in either place and loved both dearly. In addition to his political career, Mr. Delorey distinguished himself as an athlete, coach, volunteer, builder, community organizer and, above all, a dedicated and fiercely loyal family man. He died at home peacefully surrounded by his wife Davida, and their adoring children and grand-children.
The flags at the Legislative Assembly building in Yellowknife have been lowered to half-mast to recognize the passing of this distinguished Northern leader.