Nunavut cabinet assigned new duties
'Like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle that I've got to do in one hour' - premier
The new Nunavut cabinet announced Nov. 12 is, back row, from left, Community and Government Services Minister Joe Savikataaq (Arviat South), Justice and Health Minister Paul Okalik (Iqaluit-Sinaa), Finance Minister Keith Peterson (Cambridge Bay), Culture and Heritage, Languages and Family Services Minister George Kuksuk (Arviat North-Whale Cove) and Education Minister Paul Quassa (Aggu). In the front row, from left is minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corporation and Nunavut Housing Corporation George Hickes (Iqaluit-Tasiluk), Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister and Premier Peter Taptuna (Kugluktuk), Mines and Economic Development and Transportation Minister Monica Ell-Kanayuk (Iqaluit-Manirajak) and Environment Minister MLA Johnny Mike (Pangnirtung). - photo courtesy of Premier's Office, Government of Nunavut |
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, November 16, 2015
NUNAVUT
Premier Peter Taptuna added the Family Services portfolio to Culture and Heritage Minister George Kuksuk's responsibilities following the Nunavut Leadership Forum Nov. 7.
Former minister of Family Services Jeannie Ugyuk's responsibility for the status of women was passed on to Economic Development and Transportation Minister Monica Ell-Kanayuk after Ugyuk's resignation.
New minister Joe Savikataaq will take on Community and Government Services, a spot vacated when Rankin Inlet North and Chesterfield Inlet MLA Tom Sammurtok was stripped of the file in April after a driving under the influence charge. Savikataaq will also sit at the Hudson Bay roundtable as the Nunavut chair. Savikataaq was a conservation officer for almost 30 years with the Department of Environment and served for 20 years as an elected member of Arviat's municipal council.
New minister Hickes will also take on responsibility for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, formerly Finance Minister Keith Peterson's responsibility, and Nunavut Housing Corporation, formerly Kuksuk's responsibility. Hickes has a background in banking and finance.
Further, Taptuna appointed Karen Kilikvak Kabloona to the newly minted position of associate deputy minister for quality of life with the Department of Health. Her responsibility will be to coordinate a government-wide approach to suicide prevention.
"The associate deputy minister will lead the greater effort to see that all stakeholders and our government are engaged in moving the Nunavut suicide prevention strategy forward, which is key to address change," said Taptuna.
Taptuna added to his own files by becoming Seniors' Advocate and passing on the Utility Rates Review Council responsibility to Environment Minister Johnny Mike.
Peterson takes over responsibility for the the Liquor Licensing Board from Kuksuk.
As Taptuna told Nunavut News/North two days before his announcement: "It's like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle that I've got to do in one hour. I have to find the best fit for their personalities, their experience, their knowledge and their background."
Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA Pat Angnakak said regular MLAs will feel the absence of Savikataaq and Hickes.
"I think our team will definitely be different. Both Joe and George were very vocal in asking questions and as regular MLAs we are the voice of the people," she said.
