IQALUIT
Newly elected Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo swore his oath of office as the minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Nov. 4 in a ceremony that saw two Inuit girls, Samantha Metcalfe and Cailyn Degrandpre, kick off the event with throatsinging and laughter.

Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo takes the oath in Ottawa Nov. 4 after being appointed minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and minister responsible for the North by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. - CBC screenshot

"They were amazing. They were amazing, weren't they? They had everyone mesmerized," said Tootoo, who wore a red sealskin tie and a sealskin wrist band. He also replaced the "I" in his oath with the Inuktitut "uvanga."

"Every chance I get, at a public event, I wear sealskin," said Tootoo. "And I have ever since I was an MLA and when I was Speaker, any conference or meeting I attended, even overseas."

By Nov. 5, Tootoo was already meeting with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada deputy minister, long-time public servant Matthew King, working on a staff and other logistics.

"I'm assembling my team," he said.

The primary question on the minds of Nunavummiut are the promises former Conservative MP Leona Aglukkaq made to contribute $63.7 million for the Iqaluit Marine Infrastructure Project under the New Building Canada Plan (Infrastructure Canada) and to fund the construction of a $40-million small craft harbour in Pond Inlet.

"Nothing changes there. We just found out who the minister responsible is yesterday. I'll be talking to the minister responsible and making sure that money is committed and if it's there as we were told it was, it will stay committed," said Tootoo.

Amarjeet Sohi is the new minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

About balancing his dual roles as MP, representing the constituency of Nunavut, and a cabinet minister with responsibilities to the whole of Canada, Tootoo said he knew he was going to be busy with or without national portfolios.

"It's just a matter of having good staff around you and paying attention. Keeping in touch and in tune with people across Nunavut. I've done it in the past and I'm pretty sure I can do it again," he said, referring to his time as a Nunavut MLA in cabinet.

"From a cabinet perspective, issues are always new. From that point of view, it's just a matter of you do your homework. You get on top of issues. It's just more homework, that's all."

Tootoo expects his experience to hold him in good stead.

"I think that's one of the things the prime minister looked at, as well."

Tootoo says when he sat down with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and was informed that he would be the minister responsible for Fisheries and Oceans and the Coast Guard, Trudeau told him, "It's important, I want you there from the North to remind all Canadians that we have three oceans."

"I think there will be some fish stories," said Tootoo, erupting into laughter. "And you know what they say about fish stories . they always get exaggerated."

On a serious note, Tootoo added, "There are fisheries issues on all three coasts, and in between. I'm going to be sitting down with my deputy all day Monday and Tuesday going through the information. There's a lot of stuff within those two portfolios that deal with the North that are important, as well."

Inuit leaders were quick to send out congratulations on Tootoo's appointment.

Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Cathy Towtongie all expressed they are looking forward to a positive working relationship for the benefit of Inuit and the territory.

"It is important for Inuit to continue this level of representation in the federal cabinet. Tootoo's extensive experience in politics in the North will be an asset to all Inuit and Canadians alike," said Towtongie.

Obed noted two other appointments that bode well for Inuit, as well as aboriginal people across the country.

"I wish to congratulate Carolyn Bennett who will be the new minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Minister Bennett has proven to be a fierce advocate of Canada's aboriginal people and I hope to build on this ongoing collaborative relationship. I would also like to offer congratulations to Jody Wilson-Raybould who will be the minister of Justice. I am proud to see another aboriginal Canadian serving on this government's front bench," said Obed.

Tootoo is impressed with Trudeau's new gender-equal, diverse cabinet unveiled Nov. 4.

"The diversity in cabinet - it's made up the same way Canada is made up. It's the diversity of Canada. It's pretty amazing," he said

Cabinet's walk from 24 Sussex to Rideau Hall is a moment Tootoo will not forget.

"It was amazing. It was a beautiful day. The people, the crowd was just amazing, just electrifying. People were so, so happy. They were happy and relieved. They're excited. I think that's something we haven't seen in politics for a while.

"Hopefully we can bring back people's trust in the institution, in government. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.