RANKIN INLET - Dr. Christine Dechert won't discuss why Nunavut's department of Health and Social Services moved her to Rankin Inlet from Cambridge Bay.

She cites her confidentiality agreement with the department, saying she cannot violate it.

Health and Social Services Minister Leona Aglukkaq has no such problem.

She addressed Dechert's questions in the legislative assembly, following questioning from Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson.

Dechert signed a one-year contract with the government of Nunavut in August 2006. She was the chief medical officer at the Kitikmeot Health Centre, and the only doctor in Cambridge Bay.

In January 2007, she was told that she would no longer be practising in Cambridge Bay. She wanted to stay there.

"The worst part of this situation is the personal pain caused by having to leave my job, home and support system all at the same time. I wish I could continue to make my home in Cambridge Bay and provide service to the people of the Kitikmeot region," Dechert wrote to Nunavut News/North in January.

She is now based in Rankin Inlet, and is expected at the Chesterfield Inlet health centre in early April. Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson asked the health minister why a well-liked doctor from his riding was shipped to the Kivalliq.

"Her contract was terminated after only four or five months in the community," he said. "People had talked to me and contacted me wanting her to stay. They've never had such a good doctor in years. My question for the minister is can she tell me why the department...terminated her contract in Cambridge Bay, yet offer her work in Rankin Inlet or Iqaluit," asked Peterson.

Aglukkaq started by saying "I can't speak to the individual person's confidential file," before addressing the individual's confidential file.

"At the end of the day a decision was made to offer her a transfer to a community where there were other physicians there along with her to work with her. This particular individual in Cambridge Bay was alone as a physician, and internally we had to address some matters that I cannot speak to in the House," said Aglukkaq.

Aglukkaq would not discuss the case with Nunavut News/North. "I can not speak to it in the media. The privilege is in the house," said Aglukkaq.

MLAs cannot be sued for what they say in the legislature, but the privilege Aglukkaq refers to does not extend outside the assembly."I won't answer that outside the house," said Aglukkaq.

In the house, Peterson asked Aglukkaq if Dechert could return to Cambridge Bay in the future. "She is a very good doctor from what I understand," he said. "The minister said that this doctor needed to be with other doctors. In Cambridge Bay we are supposed to have three to four doctors. We only have one because of housing concerns. Could the minister commit to me that she will hire this doctor back to the health centre in Cambridge Bay when they increase their doctor coverage to three to four, as they're supposed to," asked Peterson.

"I will consider his offer and pass that along to my staff," said Aglukkaq.

Dechert is expected in at the health centre in Chesterfield Inlet by the beginning of April. She could not be reached for comment.