OTTAWA - Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq took on more responsibility when Prime Minister Stephen Harper put her in charge of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency when he announced his federal cabinet in Ottawa on May 18.

She will also continue her role as federal health minister.

"I am very excited about my responsibility for CanNor," she said. "I think it fits very nicely with the role of regional minister and I am looking forward to working with the three territories, a number of agencies and groups in the three territories with my new responsibility. ... I think the continuity is great for Canada in the health portfolio."

The CanNor portfolio was previously held by Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan, who will retain the newly-renamed Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Mary Simon congratulated the cabinet in a press release, stating she was "delighted" Aglukkaq will stay on as health minister and take on more responsibility.

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