Nunavut awaits appointment of new commissioner

Nunavut is awaiting the appointment of a new commissioner following Eva Aariak’s retirement this year.

“I also wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the former commissioner Eva Aariak, whose office recently ended,” Speaker David Joanasie said.

Deputy Commissioner Lew Phillip speaks in the Nunavut legislature in November 2025. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)

“We wish her the very best and thank her for her service.”

Joanasie added, “We also look forward to a timely announcement from the federal government regarding the appointment of our next commissioner.”

The commissioner of Nunavut is the territory’s head of state, similar to Canada’s governor general or the provincial lieutenant governors.

Appointed by the prime minister, the commissioner’s responsibilities include signing bills passed by the legislature into law (also known as giving assent), swearing in MLAs and ministers, and presiding over ceremonies and awards.

Aariak, who was previously a journalist and Nunavut’s first female premier, was the sixth commissioner since the territory’s creation in 1999. Nunavut has also had two acting commissioners in that time.

Deputy Commissioner Lew Phillip provided a welcome statement to the legislative assembly Thursday, which Joanasie read to members as they reconvened for the spring sitting.

When the commissioner is unavailable or while the office is vacant, the deputy commissioner steps in.