Prior to 1897, the Northwest Territories had no premier. From 1905 to 1980, the head of government of the NWT was a commissioner appointed by the Prime Minister. Since 1980, this position is now similar to that of a Lieutenant Governor. As such, this table only lists those Commissioners who held governing power in the territory.
John Havelock Parker was actually Commissioner until 1989, but lost governing power in 1980 to the premier.
Prior to 1994, the NWT head of government was referred to as Government Leader.
This is a list of the premiers and Commissioners and Lt. Governors who held governing power in the NorthwestTerritories, Canada.
As the NWT has a consensus government, the premier is elected by and from the members of the legislative assembly, who are not divided into parties.
Prior to 1897, the NorthwestTerritories the office of premier was called Chairman of the Executive Committee, prior to 1886 the territory was run by NorthwestTerritories Lt. Govenor and prior to that, by Manitoba's Lt. Governor.