Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour former deputy minister and public servant Tom Williams who lost his battle with cancer just this past August. Born and raised in the Northwest Territories, Tom dedicated his life to the North and was a wellrespected member of every community he lived in. Tom started his career in the public service over 30 years ago as a personnel officer in Inuvik. As a proud Metis, Tom earned respect from Indigenous people and leadership across the North.
In 2001, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Gwich'in Tribal Council where he spent seven years advancing priorities of the Gwich'in people and supporting leadership.
In 2008, Tom accepted the position of associate deputy minister for the Department of Human Resources. In August 2009, Tom was promoted to deputy minister of Human Resources with the Government of the Northwest Territories, a long journey from the personnel officer position that first brought him to public service.
Tom was appointed as deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs in 2011 and in September 2016 became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation where he would end his storied career serving residents of all 33 communities.
I remember working with Tom when I was the housing minister and the incredible work we got done during that time. I will miss him.
Mr. Speaker, Tom was not only a dedicated public servant but a family man who cared deeply about those closest to him, especially his grandchildren who he talked about often.
He also loved hockey and invested his free time over the years in the hockey rink coaching youth across the Northwest Territories the game of hockey. He was also a goaltender who played until his knees just wouldn't let him anymore, this after almost 48 years between the pipes.
Tom has left a lasting legacy on the Northwest Territories and is an example of just what one can do with hard work and dedication. Mr. Speaker, Tom Williams will be missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Pam and the family, also his many friends that he had throughout the Northwest Territories. I remember when Tom was our CEO at the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and it's like we became a big family at the time, you know, over the years. He'll be greatly missed by many. Mahsi.
