John Havelock Parker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Havelock Parker
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| Commissioner of the Northwest Territories | |
| In office April 15, 1979 – July 31, 1989 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau Joe Clark John Turner Brian Mulroney |
| Premier | George Braden Richard Nerysoo Nick Sibbeston Dennis Patterson |
| Preceded by | Stuart Milton Hodgson |
| Succeeded by | Daniel L. Norris |
| Mayor of Yellowknife | |
| In office 1964 – February 1967 |
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| Preceded by | Ted Horton |
| Succeeded by | Chet Wilkinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 2, 1929 Didsbury, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | March 9, 2020 (aged 91) Sidney, British Columbia |
| Spouse | Helen Parker |
| Children | Gorden and Sharon Parker |
| Alma mater | University of Alberta |
| Profession | geologist |
John Havelock Parker (born February 2, 1929 – died March 9, 2020) was an important Canadian leader. He served as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from 1979 to 1989. Before that, he was the Deputy Commissioner of Northwest Territories and the Mayor of Yellowknife.
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Early Public Service in Yellowknife
John Parker started his public service in Yellowknife. From 1959 to 1963, he was an alderman. An alderman is like a city council member who helps run the city.
In 1963, he became the Mayor of Yellowknife. He held this important role until February 1967. As mayor, he helped make decisions for the city.
Helping Shape the Northwest Territories
While he was mayor, John Parker joined a special group called the Carrothers Commission. This group was very important. It helped create a more responsible government for the Northwest Territories. This means the government became more accountable to the people living there.
The work of this commission also led to a big change later on. It helped set the stage for the division of the Northwest Territories. This division eventually created the new territory of Nunavut.
Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
After being mayor, John Parker became the Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. He held this role from 1967 to 1979.
Then, on April 15, 1979, he became the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. He served in this top leadership position until July 31, 1989. As Commissioner, he played a key role in the territory's development.
Defining Borders and Recognition
John Parker's work also helped define the border between the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. A part of this border is even named after him, called Parker's Notch. There is also a boundary line known as the Parker Line.
In 1986, John Parker received a high honor. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This award recognized his "significant contributions" to the growth of both Yellowknife's city government and the territorial government.
John Parker passed away on March 9, 2020. He was living in Sidney, British Columbia at the time.
