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Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Manitok Thompson, shuffled into the department late last year, is forbidding her employees from supplying any information to the public. All comment must come directly from her office.
Even her second-in-command is prohibited from speaking to the media.
The strict policy is designed to give Thompson complete control over the department and its divisions.
"I need to know everything that's happening in my department at all times. If the media needs talk to somebody, they will go through my office so I know what issues are being brought forward," said Thompson, formerly the minister of public works and also responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
The exceptions to the rule are matters relating to Nunavut Emergency Services Division and to the fire marshal.
When the minister is unavailable to speak to the media -- as was the case in early January -- she said her staff would advise her that comment was required and she would appoint a replacement spokesperson.
"If I am not here, my secretary will contact me and then I will get my (deputy minister) or somebody to be the spokes-person," she told News/North last week.
The iron-fisted policy reflects a management style Thompson adopted when posted to cabinet in the government of the Northwest Territories in 1995. She said it is necessary more now than ever before because of Nunavut's far-flung, decentralized model of government.
"That's the style of management that I have."
Thompson said she is aware the closed-door communications policy may make it seem her department is hiding information from the public, but she said an effectively run department was her top priority.
"I know the media and the public would think we're hiding something and that's why the minister wants to be the one to talk. My biggest concern is that we run an efficient department."
