Executive Council of Nunavut
Encyclopedia
The Executive Council
of Nunavut
or cabinet
includes a Premier and seven Ministers and is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly
from among the Assembly members.
The cabinet members provide the political direction and accountability for each function, while the Deputy Minister
of each department is appointed position with responsibility to guide and manage the daily administration of the budgets and programs of government.
As of November 2008, the current ministers are:
Third Legislative Assembly
Appointments and removals
Seven of the eight current ministers were chosen on November 14, 2008, following the 2008 election
. One seat was left open pending the results of the Akulliq
by-election
on December 12, 2008, however, so that the winner of that by-election would have the same opportunity as other MLAs to be considered for the remaining position.
After the Akulliq by-election was sent to a recount which resulted in an exact tie between the two leading contenders, thus necessitating a second by-election, the MLAs announced on January 22, 2009 that they would no longer hold the remaining seat open, but would fill the vacancy so that they could proceed with pending government business. The final spot was filled on January 26, 2009, when the MLAs appointed Tagak Curley
over James Arvaluk
and Fred Schell
.
On January 24, 2009, Louis Tapardjuk
was removed as Minister of Justice with the duties being assumed by Premier
Eva Aariak. The removal was caused by leaked email from Tapardjuk that read in part; "Often, in cases of domestic disputes, both parties share the blame, but according to the criminal code, the person who gets physical is charged, even though the other party may have initiated the conflict. Often the male is charged even though the conflict may have been initiated by the female partner." The email was sent to Nunavut News/North
who forwarded it to the Premier, who indicated that the remarks appeared to "...condone violence against women and men...". Former Premier Paul Okalik
defended Tapardjuk, stating that the email was an attempt to start a debate.
Following two announcements of massive debt and overspending of funds at the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Hunter Tootoo was moved to Minister of Education from Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Minister Tapardjuk was moved from Education to fill the gap at Housing.
Appointments and removals
Barnabus and Simailik were removed or resigned.
Appointments and removals
Executive Council (Commonwealth countries)
An Executive Council in Commonwealth constitutional practice based on the Westminster system is a constitutional organ which exercises executive power and advises the governor or governor-general. Executive Councils often make decisions via Orders in Council.Executive Councillors are informally...
of Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
or cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
includes a Premier and seven Ministers and is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada, is located in Iqaluit, and is the territory's parliament.The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, on 7 October 2002, during her Golden Jubilee tour of Canada...
from among the Assembly members.
The cabinet members provide the political direction and accountability for each function, while the Deputy Minister
Deputy Minister (Canada)
In Canada, a deputy minister is the senior civil servant in a government department. He or she takes political direction from an elected minister. Responsibility for the department's day-to-day operations, budget and program development lie with the deputy minister...
of each department is appointed position with responsibility to guide and manage the daily administration of the budgets and programs of government.
As of November 2008, the current ministers are:
| Member | Minister/Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Eva Aariak | Premier Premier of Nunavut The Premier of Nunavut is the first minister for the Canadian territory of Nunavut. They are the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although their powers are considerably smaller than that of a provincial premier.... , Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Minister Responsible for Immigration, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Education |
| Peter Taptuna Peter Taptuna Peter Taptuna is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Kugluktuk in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election... |
Deputy Premier, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, Minister Responsible for Mines, Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Development Corporation |
| Tagak Curley Tagak Curley Tagak Curley is an Inuit leader, politician and businessman from Nunavut. As a prominent figure in the negotiations that led to the creation of Nunavut, Tagak is considered a living father of confederation in Canada... |
Health and Social Services, Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, Nunavut Housing Corporation, Responsible For Homelessness |
| Lorne Kusugak Lorne Kusugak Lorne Kusugak is a Canadian politician, who is Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for the electoral district of Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove, having won the seat in the 2008 Nunavut election. Prior to becoming an MLA, Kusugak was the mayor of Rankin Inlet... |
Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Responsible for the Qulliq Energy Qulliq Energy Qulliq Energy Corporation is a Canadian Crown corporation owned by the Government of Nunavut, established in 2001 as "Nunavut Power Corporation", and renamed "Qulliq Energy Corporation" in 2002. It draws its name from the qulliq , an Inuit oil lamp.-History:It was established by the Nunavut Power... Corporation, Minister of Energy, [Energy Secretariat], Government House Leader |
| Keith Peterson Keith Peterson Alan Keith Peterson was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada and lives in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. He is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Cambridge Bay having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election.... |
Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice, Minister Responsible for Public Agencies Council, Minister Responsible for Labour Standards Board, Minister Responsible for Liquor Licensing Board |
| Daniel Shewchuk Daniel Shewchuk Daniel Shewchuk is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Arviat in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election. In that election, he gained 48.4% of the vote, 22% more than his closest competitor... |
Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Arctic college |
| James Arreak James Arreak James Arreak is a territorial and municipal level politician in Canada. He has served as a member of both the Nunavut and Northwest Territories legislatures.Arreak is from Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada.... |
Minister Responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council, Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Minister of Languages |
| Fred Schell Fred Schell Fred Schell is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election. Prior to election as an MLA, Schell had served as mayor of Cape Dorset.-References:... |
Minister of Human Resouorces |
Third Legislative Assembly
- Commissioner: Ann Meekitjuk HansonAnn Meekitjuk HansonAnn Meekitjuk Hanson was the Commissioner of Nunavut. She served from April 21, 2005 until April 10, 2010...
, Edna EliasEdna EliasEdna Elias is a Canadian politician from Kugluktuk, Nunavut. On 12 May 2010 she was appointed as the 4th Commissioner of Nunavut by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.... - Premier: Eva Aariak
- Secretary to Cabinet: Markus Weber
Appointments and removals
Seven of the eight current ministers were chosen on November 14, 2008, following the 2008 election
Nunavut general election, 2008
The Third Nunavut General Election took place on October 27, 2008 to return members to the 3rd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The election was contested across 15 of Nunavut's 19 electoral districts under the first past the post system of voting...
. One seat was left open pending the results of the Akulliq
Akulliq
Akulliq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay.-1999 election:-2004 election:-2008 election:...
by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
on December 12, 2008, however, so that the winner of that by-election would have the same opportunity as other MLAs to be considered for the remaining position.
After the Akulliq by-election was sent to a recount which resulted in an exact tie between the two leading contenders, thus necessitating a second by-election, the MLAs announced on January 22, 2009 that they would no longer hold the remaining seat open, but would fill the vacancy so that they could proceed with pending government business. The final spot was filled on January 26, 2009, when the MLAs appointed Tagak Curley
Tagak Curley
Tagak Curley is an Inuit leader, politician and businessman from Nunavut. As a prominent figure in the negotiations that led to the creation of Nunavut, Tagak is considered a living father of confederation in Canada...
over James Arvaluk
James Arvaluk
James Arvaluk is a politician from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995 and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2003...
and Fred Schell
Fred Schell
Fred Schell is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election. Prior to election as an MLA, Schell had served as mayor of Cape Dorset.-References:...
.
On January 24, 2009, Louis Tapardjuk
Louis Tapardjuk
Louis Tapardjuk in an igloo northwest of Igloolik, Nunavut) is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Amittuq having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election...
was removed as Minister of Justice with the duties being assumed by Premier
Premier of Nunavut
The Premier of Nunavut is the first minister for the Canadian territory of Nunavut. They are the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although their powers are considerably smaller than that of a provincial premier....
Eva Aariak. The removal was caused by leaked email from Tapardjuk that read in part; "Often, in cases of domestic disputes, both parties share the blame, but according to the criminal code, the person who gets physical is charged, even though the other party may have initiated the conflict. Often the male is charged even though the conflict may have been initiated by the female partner." The email was sent to Nunavut News/North
News/North
News/North is a newspaper based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, with offices in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, and owned by Northern News Services. The newspaper is printed in two separate editions, Northwest Territories News/North and Nunavut News/North that reports on news throughout...
who forwarded it to the Premier, who indicated that the remarks appeared to "...condone violence against women and men...". Former Premier Paul Okalik
Paul Okalik
Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory....
defended Tapardjuk, stating that the email was an attempt to start a debate.
Following two announcements of massive debt and overspending of funds at the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Hunter Tootoo was moved to Minister of Education from Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Minister Tapardjuk was moved from Education to fill the gap at Housing.
Second Legislative Assembly
- Commissioner: Ann Meekitjuk HansonAnn Meekitjuk HansonAnn Meekitjuk Hanson was the Commissioner of Nunavut. She served from April 21, 2005 until April 10, 2010...
- Premier: Paul OkalikPaul OkalikPaul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory....
- Secretary to Cabinet: John Walsh, David Omilgoitok
| Member | Minister/Portfolio | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Okalik Paul Okalik Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory.... |
Premier | 2004-2008 |
| Leona Aglukkaq Leona Aglukkaq Leona Aglukkaq, PC, MP is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative in the 2008 Canadian federal election for the riding of Nunavut.... |
Finance Minister and House Leader, Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women | 2004-2008 |
| Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk is a politician from Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada. Akesuk was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin from 1999 to 2008, having won the seat in the 1999 Nunavut election... |
Minister for Sustainable Development, Minister of the Environment, Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board, and Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing - replaced Arvaluk | 2004-2008 |
| Levi Barnabas Levi Barnabas Levi Barnabas is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in 1995 and served until Nunavut was created in 1999... |
Minister for Human Resources and responsible for the Workers Compensation Board; Speaker (1999-2000) | 2004-2008 |
| Levinia Brown Levinia Brown Levinia Brown is a Canadian politician, who served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008... |
Minister of Health and Social Services and the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women | 2004-2008 |
| David Simailak David Simailak David Simailak from Baker Lake was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Baker Lake having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election... |
Minister of Finance and the Minster Responsible for the Liquor Licensing Board | 2005-2007 |
| Louis Tapardjuk Louis Tapardjuk Louis Tapardjuk in an igloo northwest of Igloolik, Nunavut) is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Amittuq having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election... |
Minister of Finance and Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth; Minister of Justice) | 2004-2008 and 2009-2010, 2009 |
| Ed Picco Ed Picco Edward "Ed" Walter Picco is a Canadian Nunavut politician first elected in the 1995 Northwest Territories election. He was re-elected in the 1999 Nunavut election and in the 2004 Nunavut election... |
Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister of Education, Immigration, Homelessness, Energy and Nunavut Arctic College, Minister Responsible for Qulliq, Government House Leader | |
| Peter Kilabuk Peter Kilabuk Peter Kilabuk is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Pangnirtung in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008.... |
Speaker | 2006-2008 |
| Patterk Netser Patterk Netser Patterk Netser is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nanulik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008.... |
Minister without Portfolio |
Appointments and removals
Barnabus and Simailik were removed or resigned.
First Legislative Assembly
- Commissioner: Helen MaksagakHelen MaksagakHelen Mamayaok Maksagak, CM was a Canadian politician. She served as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from January 16, 1995 until March 26, 1999 and as the Commissioner of Nunavut from April 1, 1999 until April 1, 2000...
, Peter IrniqPeter IrniqPeter Taqtu Irniq is an Inuk politician in Canada, who served as the second Commissioner of Nunavut from April 2000 to April 2005.-Biography:... - Premier: Paul Okalik
- Secretary to Cabinet: Anne Crawford
| Member | Minister/Portfolio | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Okalik Paul Okalik Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory.... |
Premier | 1999-2004 |
| Jack Anawak Jack Anawak Jack Iyerak Anawak is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Nunatsiaq in the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1997. He sat in the house as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada... |
Minister of Justice; Community Government; and Culture, Language, Elders and Youth | 1999-2004; Anawak was not replaced at his departure |
| James Arvaluk James Arvaluk James Arvaluk is a politician from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995 and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2003... |
Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for Nunavut Arctic College | 1999-2003 |
| Donald Havioyak Donald Havioyak Donald Havioyak is a territorial level politician in Canada. He served as a member of the Nunavut Legislature.Havioyak was elected to the Nunavut legislature in the 1999 Nunavut general election. He won the Kugluktuk electoral district with a plurality of six votes defeating three other candidates... |
Minister of Public Works | 1999-2004 |
| Kelvin Ng Kelvin Ng Kelvin Ng is a former territorial and municipal level politician in Canada who was elected in both the Nunavut Legislature and Northwest Territories Legislature.... |
Minister for Finance, Minister Responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation and the Workers' Compensation Board; Deputy Premier and government house leader | 1999-2004 |
| Ed Picco Ed Picco Edward "Ed" Walter Picco is a Canadian Nunavut politician first elected in the 1995 Northwest Territories election. He was re-elected in the 1999 Nunavut election and in the 2004 Nunavut election... |
Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Minister Responsible for Qulliq, Government House Leader | 1999-2004 |
| Manitok Thompson Manitok Thompson Manitok Catherine Thompson is a politician from northern Canada.Manitok was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in a by-election held on May 8, 1995 held following the resignation of James Arvaluk... |
Minister for Community and Regional Affairs | 1999-2004 |
| Peter Kattuk Peter Kattuk Peter Kattuk is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Hudson Bay in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008.... |
Minister of Public Works | 1999-2004 |
| Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk is a politician from Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada. Akesuk was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin from 1999 to 2008, having won the seat in the 1999 Nunavut election... |
Minister of the Environment, Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board, and Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing | 1999-2004; replaced Arvaluk |
Appointments and removals
- Anawak - resigned
- Arvaluk - resigned
- Havioyok - resigned