The GNWT will host a memorial service for Tony Whitford at the legislative assembly on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.

"There's also a Zoom link because we understand there might be a capacity issue and a lot of people would like do this from the comfort of their own home," said Bev Whitford, Tony's daughter-in-law.

Blair Whitford, Tony's middle son, said both he and Bev will be at the service. He expecting a couple of hundred people to attend.

There's also overflow space at the Prince of Wales museum in case the assembly fills up, Blair added.

"There's an auditorium in there that can hold, I believe, 150 people," he said.

Both Blair and Bev repeated that this is a public event, featuring a number of speakers. Bev and Blair preferred to keep the identities of the speechmakers under wraps until Saturday. Though Blair did provide a hint.

"It's former politicians of the Northwest Territories and some of them are very prominent" he said. "And there's also a few special guests."

Ultimately, Blair described the event as a chance to celebrate Tony Whitford's life and accomplishments.

"He was a civil servant for his entire career," he said. "We have the memorial planned out, but we want to see people, hear what they have to say and we want people to come together."

Tony Whitford was a former MLA, Speaker of the House and commissioner of the NWT. He died on Sept. 16 at age 83.

According to an invitation to the service from the GNWT, the dress code is business or traditional attire.