WHITEHORSE – Former Northwestel president and CEO Paul Flaherty died last week at his home in Whitehorse after an illness. He was 63.
A long time Bell Canada employee and executive in many regions in Ontario and Quebec, Flaherty came to Bell’s Northwestel in 2000 and stayed for 18 years, retiring as president and CEO in 2018.
“During his 18-year tenure with Northwestel, Paul helped transform and modernize telecommunications in northern Canada. Through his guidance and enduring leadership, Northwestel made significant strides forward – introducing fibre optic technology, 4G wireless, and high-speed Internet to communities across the north,” said the company press release honouring his passing.
Flaherty was instrumental in the creation of the Yukon Hospital Foundation and the annual Northwestel Festival of Trees fundraiser and was a dedicated volunteer in the community. During his time in the North, he coached minor hockey, served as board member for the Yukon Arts Centre and the 2007 Canada Winter Games, and as chair for both the Yukon College Board of Governors and the Vanier Catholic Secondary School Board.
“He will be deeply missed at Northwestel, in the community, and across the Canadian telecommunications industry,” said the company release.
“As chair, he led the research into what transition to a university would mean for the institution, Yukon and most importantly our students. He also led community consultations which shaped the development of the institution’s 2013 and 2016 strategic plans and the creation of the Yukon College Master Land Use Plan, which will guide the look and feel of Ayamdigut campus for the next 25 years,” added a statement released by Yukon College.
“Paul was passionate about the value of post-secondary education and its potential to change lives. He and his wife Helen established an annual bursary to support Yukon College students engaged in upgrading, with the intent to enroll in a credit program.”
Flaherty is survived by his wife Helen, children Michael, Ryan, Courtney and granddaughter Lily, Jaclyn and Jessen, and Craig.
His funeral was held Saturday, November 9th in Whitehorse. Please click here for his official obituary.
