Caroline Cochrane
Canadian politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Caroline Cochrane (formerly Caroline Cochrane-Johnson; born December 5, 1960) is a former Canadian politician, who served as the 13th premier of the Northwest Territories, from 2019 to 2023.[1] She is the second female premier of the Northwest Territories after Nellie Cournoyea, who served from 1991 to 1995.[2]
Caroline Cochrane | |
|---|---|
| |
| 13th Premier of the Northwest Territories | |
| In office October 24, 2019 – December 8, 2023 | |
| Deputy | Diane Archie |
| Commissioner | Margaret Thom |
| Preceded by | Bob McLeod |
| Succeeded by | R. J. Simpson |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories | |
| In office November 23, 2015 – November 14, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Daryl Dolynny |
| Succeeded by | Kieron Testart |
| Constituency | Range Lake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 5, 1960 |
| Party | Independent |
Early life and career
Cochrane was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, in 1960 and moved with her family to Yellowknife in 1963, where she grew up. She received a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University College of the Cariboo (now known as Thompson Rivers University or TRU) in Kamloops, British Columbia, in 1999.[3][4] In 2023 Cochrane was recognized as a distinguished alumni at TRU and was awarded for her public service.[5] She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in the 2015 election,[6] representing the electoral district of Range Lake.
Prior to her election to the legislature, Cochrane was CEO of the Centre for Northern Families, a social-service agency administered by the Yellowknife Women's Society in Yellowknife.[7]
In October 2019, Cochrane defeated three other candidates after three rounds of secret-ballot votes and was elected Premier of the Northwest Territories.[8]
Following one term as premier and two terms as MLA, Cochrane announced her retirement from politics in September 2023 and announced that she would not seek re-election in the 2023 Northwest Territories general election.[9]
