.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

IQALUIT - Alexina Kublu has been appointed the new languages commissioner of Nunavut, a position formerly held by incumbent premier Eva Aariak.

The official appointment was made during the first session of the third legislative assembly, which reconvened on Jan. 26. The legislative assembly is responsible for appointing a commissioner as an independent officer who reports to the members directly.

Alexina Kublu, the new languages commissioner of Nunavut, chats with premier and former commissioner Eva Aariak at an open house on Jan. 29. - Carolyn Sloan/NNSL photo

Kublu was chosen through a merit-based selection process for the position, which is a four-year term of office.

"The board unanimously agreed that Ms. Alexina Kublu of Iqaluit was the best candidate," said Paul Okalik, MLA for Iqaluit West and former premier, through an interpreter. "Her experience as a language teacher, author, public servant and senior justice of the peace will be a strong asset to the office."

As an advocate for the preservation and promotion of Nunavut's four official languages, Kublu will work to ensure the territory's government adheres to its own language laws, including the Official Languages Act and the new Inuit Language Protection Act.

The commissioner's role is also one of an ombudsman, fielding complaints from the public and investigating potential violations of the language laws. In addition, Kublu will make recommendations on how to deal with language issues facing the territory and be responsible for bringing such issues to light.

"I am confident that I speak for all members when I wish her every success in her new role as she works with appropriate stakeholders in the implementation of the new Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act," said Okalik through a translator.

After unanimous approval from the legislature in favour of her appointment, James Arreak, speaker for the legislative assembly, offered his encouragement.

"We are very proud of you, Ms. Alexina Kublu," he said through a translator.

"I am excited about the challenges, the additional challenges, of implementing the Language Protection Act," said Kublu at an open house on Jan. 29.