Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Elaine Keenan-Bengts died at home in Yellowknife after a short and courageous battle with cancer.
Elaine was born on October 3rd, 1958, in Saskatoon and grew up in Sherwood Park, Alberta. In 1969, Elaine's family moved to Yellowknife where she spent over 50 years of her life raising a family, practicing law, and becoming an unwavering force advocating for and supporting our community.
Elaine earned her law degree from the University of Alberta and was called to the Northwest Territories bar in 1983. She was ferocious when practicing law and fearless in court, standing firm even when challenged by the judge or opposing counsel. She was known affectionately amongst her colleagues for being a bulldog in court.
Fighting for the right thing was a hallmark of Elaine's long tenure as the NWT and Nunavut Information and Privacy Commissioner. She served more than two decades as the NWT's Privacy Commissioner, firmly believing that our democracy depends on the vigilant protection of privacy rights and the accountability of public institutions.
Elaine was active on various committees of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories and the Canadian Bar Association, or CBA. For a time, she represented the NWT on the Family Law Practice Committee of the CBA and chaired the CBA Women's Law Committee. She was nationally respected for her work and commitment to the profession and the people she served.
Elaine was recognized with the CBA's Doug Miller Award in 2013 for her contributions to the Canadian Bar Association.
Elaine's grit and determination extended to volunteerism, and she was active in many sports, including as a board member of Sport North, a dignitary for the Arctic Winter Games, and involvement with Volleyball NWT. In her younger years, she played slo-pitch with the Legal Eagles. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted
One significant contribution Elaine made to our community was as a parent-volunteer board member and president of the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club. Through her leadership and drive, funds were raised to build the gymnastics facility at the multiplex. This included leading a group of four families in pledging their homes as security against the gym's mortgage without which the gym could not have been built. Elaine also served as a member of the board of the Yellowknife Community Foundation from 2018 to 2022.
As a mother of three girls - Amanda, Lauren and Stacie - Elaine was always there to provide love and counsel when they needed it. Her girls gave her seven beautiful grandchildren who were Elaine's sunshine and world. I've known Elaine's husband Peter for several years, and it is apparent whenever we have spoken about Elaine, what a wonderful woman she was and that they share a love that is timeless.
My thoughts are with Elaine's family and friends as they continue to adjust to a life without their beloved Elaine. She will be truly missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.