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'''Michael Ballantyne''' (27 February 1945, [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] - 19 June 2008 [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]]) was a former territorial level politician. He was a member of the [[Yellowknife]] city council from 1978 and in 1979 became mayor until his resignation in 1983. He served as a Member and Speaker of the [[Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories]] from 1983 to 1995. |
'''Michael Ballantyne''' (27 February 1945, [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] - 19 June 2008 [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]]) was a former territorial level politician. He was a member of the [[Yellowknife]] city council from 1978 and in 1979 became mayor until his resignation in 1983. He served as a Member and Speaker of the [[Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories]] from 1983 to 1995. |
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Mike's childhood was spent on military bases in Canada, the USA, and Europe. After high school in Ottawa, he studied political science at Carleton University, but left after his third year to join the civil rights movement in the US, registering black voters in rural Alabama and experiencing the hospitality of an Alabama jail. He joined the March on Washington and witnessed Martin Luther King's famous I have a dream" speech. He spent the next ten years traveling and working in Africa, South America, Europe and Asia. True to form, he managed to be in the most unstable and dangerous (he would say exciting) locations as often as possible. With his great friend, the late Larry Uteck, he made his way through Asia, staying to work for Save the Children Fund in Vietnam and Cambodia during the last years of the war. He and Larry traveled up the Mekong River under fire, and were together in Phnom Penh when it fell. Michael's children much preferred stories of Dad's travels to any others. |
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Ballantyne was elected to the Northwest Territories Legislature in the [[Northwest Territories general election, 1983|1983 Northwest Territories general election]], winning the [[Yellowknife North]] electoral district. He was re-elected to a second term in the [[Northwest Territories general election, 1987|1987 Northwest Territories general election]]. He was re-elected to his third and final term in the [[Northwest Territories general election, 1991|1991 Northwest Territories general election]]. Ballantyne was elected Speaker of the Assembly on November 13, 1991 and served in that position until November 10, 1993. He retired at the end of his term when the Legislature dissolved in 1995. |
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Michael first came to Yellowknife in 1969 to visit his parents, who had settled there after his father retired from the Army to serve as the first Director of Industry in the newly established Territorial Government. He later worked at the Giant Yellowknife Gold Mine, and served on the CASAW executive. He won a seat on City Council in 1978, followed by two terms as Mayor of Yellowknife from 1979-83. Michael was elected in 1983 as the Member of the Legislative Assembly, and was appointed to Cabinet in 1985, serving as Minister of Finance and Minister of Justice, among other appointments. Following re-election in 1991, Michael was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and oversaw the construction and opening of the distinctive NWT Legislative Assembly building. He did not seek election for a fourth term. His colleagues recall his talents in building bridges and achieving consensus on major issues both inside and outside of government. Michael was a founding Director of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) and worked closely from 1980-83 with Roy Megarry and Richard Doyle of the Globe and Mail newspaper to raise funds to build a performing arts theatre in Yellowknife. He also served on the boards of many sports and community associations. |
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Ballantyne was a seasoned traveler and humanitarian, working with Save the Children in both Vietnam and Cambodia during the Vietnam war. Ballantyne quit Carleton University in Ottawa to register black voters in Mississippi and Alabama and was active in the civil rights movement. Michael Ballantyne raised three children with his wife, Penny. His eldest daughter Erin Freeland Ballantyne was the first Rhodes Scholar from the Canadian North. |
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In 1996, Michael joined Aber Resources Ltd., (now Harry Winston) serving as Vice President, Northwest Territories. Together with colleagues at Rio Tinto, Michael helped meet the early challenges of constructing the Diavik diamond mine north of Yellowknife, bringing it into operation and establishing the mine's reputation as a respected member of the NWT's corporate community. From 2002-2005, he also held an appointment as Vice-President of Laurelton Diamonds INC (a subsidiary of Tiffany & Co.) and worked closely with Tiffany to establish a diamond cutting and polishing plant in Yellowknife. Michael loved nothing more than solving complex problems, and he was a master of sensitive negotiations. He loved the diamond industry, and the north, and despite his failing health, found it impossible to retire, continuing to work for Harry Winston until the time of his death. |
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A big man with a booming voice, sharp intellect and an irrepressible sense of humour, Mike loved a good debate, preferably one that was complex, nuanced and went on into the wee hours. He read voraciously and was a fully involved citizen of the world. He loved politics, sports, military history, his friends and family, and had a deep empathy for the vulnerable amongst us. He practiced a private and direct kindness, and treated everyone with respect. He especially enjoyed his children's friends, and liked nothing better than to hold court" with a group of young people, engaging and challenging them and sharing stories of his travels and adventures. |
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A sudden, catastrophic illness in 2000 led to a liver transplant, made possible by the selflessness of an anonymous donor, for which Mike's family will be forever grateful. The next eight years were bonus" years, as he liked to call them, spent enjoying every well moment to the fullest, and enduring many health challenges with strength and without complaint. Ballantyne died on 19 June 2008 with his family at his side. |
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Michael Ballantyne raised three children with his wife, Penny. His eldest daughter Erin Freeland Ballantyne was the first Rhodes Scholar from the Canadian North. |
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Ballantyne died on 19 June 2008 with his family at his side. He had a polished career, including NWT MLA and Mayor of Yellowknife. Ballantyne as said above had a passion for Politics and helping his fellow citizens. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 08:23, 28 March 2010
Michael Ballantyne (27 February 1945, Toronto, Ontario - 19 June 2008 Edmonton, Alberta) was a former territorial level politician. He was a member of the Yellowknife city council from 1978 and in 1979 became mayor until his resignation in 1983. He served as a Member and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1983 to 1995.
Mike's childhood was spent on military bases in Canada, the USA, and Europe. After high school in Ottawa, he studied political science at Carleton University, but left after his third year to join the civil rights movement in the US, registering black voters in rural Alabama and experiencing the hospitality of an Alabama jail. He joined the March on Washington and witnessed Martin Luther King's famous I have a dream" speech. He spent the next ten years traveling and working in Africa, South America, Europe and Asia. True to form, he managed to be in the most unstable and dangerous (he would say exciting) locations as often as possible. With his great friend, the late Larry Uteck, he made his way through Asia, staying to work for Save the Children Fund in Vietnam and Cambodia during the last years of the war. He and Larry traveled up the Mekong River under fire, and were together in Phnom Penh when it fell. Michael's children much preferred stories of Dad's travels to any others.
Michael first came to Yellowknife in 1969 to visit his parents, who had settled there after his father retired from the Army to serve as the first Director of Industry in the newly established Territorial Government. He later worked at the Giant Yellowknife Gold Mine, and served on the CASAW executive. He won a seat on City Council in 1978, followed by two terms as Mayor of Yellowknife from 1979-83. Michael was elected in 1983 as the Member of the Legislative Assembly, and was appointed to Cabinet in 1985, serving as Minister of Finance and Minister of Justice, among other appointments. Following re-election in 1991, Michael was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and oversaw the construction and opening of the distinctive NWT Legislative Assembly building. He did not seek election for a fourth term. His colleagues recall his talents in building bridges and achieving consensus on major issues both inside and outside of government. Michael was a founding Director of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) and worked closely from 1980-83 with Roy Megarry and Richard Doyle of the Globe and Mail newspaper to raise funds to build a performing arts theatre in Yellowknife. He also served on the boards of many sports and community associations.
In 1996, Michael joined Aber Resources Ltd., (now Harry Winston) serving as Vice President, Northwest Territories. Together with colleagues at Rio Tinto, Michael helped meet the early challenges of constructing the Diavik diamond mine north of Yellowknife, bringing it into operation and establishing the mine's reputation as a respected member of the NWT's corporate community. From 2002-2005, he also held an appointment as Vice-President of Laurelton Diamonds INC (a subsidiary of Tiffany & Co.) and worked closely with Tiffany to establish a diamond cutting and polishing plant in Yellowknife. Michael loved nothing more than solving complex problems, and he was a master of sensitive negotiations. He loved the diamond industry, and the north, and despite his failing health, found it impossible to retire, continuing to work for Harry Winston until the time of his death.
A big man with a booming voice, sharp intellect and an irrepressible sense of humour, Mike loved a good debate, preferably one that was complex, nuanced and went on into the wee hours. He read voraciously and was a fully involved citizen of the world. He loved politics, sports, military history, his friends and family, and had a deep empathy for the vulnerable amongst us. He practiced a private and direct kindness, and treated everyone with respect. He especially enjoyed his children's friends, and liked nothing better than to hold court" with a group of young people, engaging and challenging them and sharing stories of his travels and adventures.
A sudden, catastrophic illness in 2000 led to a liver transplant, made possible by the selflessness of an anonymous donor, for which Mike's family will be forever grateful. The next eight years were bonus" years, as he liked to call them, spent enjoying every well moment to the fullest, and enduring many health challenges with strength and without complaint. Ballantyne died on 19 June 2008 with his family at his side.
Michael Ballantyne raised three children with his wife, Penny. His eldest daughter Erin Freeland Ballantyne was the first Rhodes Scholar from the Canadian North.
External links
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