The Honourable Wally Schumann, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
First elected to the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in November 2015 to represent the constituency of Hay River South, Wally Schumann was appointed Minister of Transportation and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources in his inaugural term.
Following a cabinet shuffle in September 2016, Mr. Schumann took on the role of Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) and, following an amalgamation of the departments of Transportation and Public Works and Services on April 1, 2017, also became the first NWT Minister of Infrastructure.
A life-long northerner, a Red Seal journeyperson and successful businessman, Minister Schumann served as a Director for the Hay River Chamber of Commerce, a member of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines Aboriginal Participation Committee, and was the founder and a director of the NWT Manufacturers’ Association.
As president, then vice-president, of the Hay River Métis Government Council, Mr. Schumann is credited with leading a large-scale consultation to develop a community wellness funding agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).
As Minister, he has championed the completion of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway, seen tourism numbers increase year after year and signed a bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada to help fund long-term infrastructure projects.