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Hit the road, Jack

But Maverick Rankin MLA remains steadfast

Chris Woodall
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 17/03) - Premier Paul Okalik is mad as hell and he isn't going to take it any more.

The "it" is fellow cabinet minister Jack Anawak breaking ranks to criticize government plans to decentralize jobs to Baker Lake from Rankin Inlet.

NNSL Photo

Premier Paul Okalik showed MLA Jack Anawak who's boss, stripping the MLA of his cabinet duties, Feb. 11. - Chris Woodall/NNSL photo


Okalik stripped Anawak's cabinet duties, Feb. 11, relegating him to "cabinet minister without portfolio."

Despite the loss of his portfolio, Anawak keeps one thing: his cabinet minister's salary.

All MLAs are paid $61,800 a year. Cabinet ministers get an additional $53,200, regardless of what number of portfolios they have.

But as the week progressed, the demotion has turned into a locking of horns between political rivals.

It will be up to members of the legislative assembly when they convene March 4 to remove Anawak from cabinet.

The premier assigns portfolios but said he will not ask MLAs to vote Anawak out of cabinet.

Anawak was minister of culture, language, elders and youth. These responsibilities -- at least for the next two weeks -- will be handled by Olayuk Akesuk, adding to his duties as minister of sustainable development.

Anawak's sin -- he represents the riding of Rankin Inlet North -- was to speak out to radio and TV news media against an Oct. 31 cabinet decision to move newly created Qulliq Energy Corporation's headquarters to Baker Lake.

Thirteen jobs in the Petroleum Products Division will leave Rankin Inlet as part of the decision.

As a member of cabinet, Anawak should have stood with the other cabinet ministers and held his peace, says the premier.

Another cabinet minister -- Manitok Thompson, MLA for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove -- also spoke outside of cabinet against the move, but saved her job by making peace with the premier afterward, Okalik said.

Cabinet togetherness

"Public statements made by some cabinet ministers have caused particular concerns," Okalik explained. He refused to specify what Anawak said.

"Cabinet solidarity is essential. Ministers need to be respectful of their cabinet colleagues," Okalik said.

"No minister can operate effectively whenever another colleague is displeased."

Anawak also declined to repeat his comments but insisted his constituents come first.

"I stand by whatever I've said in the past," Anawak told News/North.

"People know me. They know I've never been afraid to speak on behalf of the people," Anawak said of his 25 years in politics.

"It's a troubling thing if people become afraid if they speak out they'll lose their cabinet job or portfolio."

As far as Anawak is concerned, the premier's moves are those of a bully.

"I use the word 'bully' in the strongest sense of the word," said Anawak.

Jobs will go to Baker Lake from Rankin Inlet, but Okalik said many more jobs will eventually be created to replace those losses.

Employees who do not want to move with the transferred positions will be helped to find other work in Rankin Inlet, Okalik said.