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Minister resigns, becomes new speaker
Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo says last six months 'very challenging'Jeanne Gagnon Northern News Services Published Wednesday, June 1, 2011
He resigned as minister of education and human resources following his nomination to the speaker's position by Nattilik MLA Jeannie Ugyuk. He obtained more votes than Akulliq MLA John Ningark on the first ballot. Tootoo, first elected in 1999 and part of cabinet since 2008, said he resigned from his portfolios as he needed a change, describing the last six months as "very challenging." "I resolved that if I didn't become the speaker, I would be a regular member. I need to make a change personally," he said. "As a cabinet minister, the demands on your time are extremely high and I just felt it was getting to be too much so I needed to make a change. It was a tremendous honour and privilege and I enjoyed being a member of the executive council." The speaker's seat was vacated when Iqaluit West MLA Paul Okalik resigned to run for the Liberal Party of Canada in the May 2 federal election. He was defeated by incumbent Leona Aglukkaq. Just before the start of the legislature's spring session in Iqaluit on May 31, Tootoo told Nunavut News/North he wanted to thank Ugyuk for nominating him and his colleagues for supporting him. As the speaker, Tootoo said he will not be as "vocal" as he was on either side of the house but he will conduct himself in a manner fitting the position. Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak announced Tuesday she will take over the education portfolio while Arviat MLA Daniel Shewchuk will add human resources to his portfolio. Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley take on responsibility for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission. "I would like to thank Tootoo for his hard work and I have no doubt he will bring the same dedication to his new role as Speaker of the legislative assembly," Aariak stated in a press release. Those ministerial appointments, effective immediately, will remain in place until the Sept. 12 byelections in Iqaluit West to replace Okalik, in Pangnirtung to replace Adamee Komoartok and in Tununiq to replace James Arvaluk.
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