Michael Ballantyne

Michael Alan Ballantyne (February 27, 1945 – June 19, 2008) 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.

Ballantyne was elected to the Northwest Territories Legislature in the 1983 Northwest Territories general election, winning the Yellowknife North electoral district. He was re-elected to a second term in the 1987 Northwest Territories general election. He was re-elected to his third and final term in the 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.

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.

Ballantyne died on June 19, 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.

External links

• Northwest Territories speakers 1975 to present
• Globe and Mail obituary