Aglukkaq, Duncan return to Ottawa in familiar roles

John Duncan, the aboriginal affairs minister, and Leona Aglukkaq the federal health minister and Nunavut’s MP, speak with reporters in Iqaluit in March. Both won their seats in the May 2 federal election and were reappointed to cabinet May 18. (PHOTO BY CHRIS WINDEYER)

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq kept her job as the federal Minister of Health as Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled his new cabinet in Ottawa May 18.

Aglukkaq, re-elected in the May 2 federal election, also becomes minister for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

In a news release, Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, congratulated Aglukkaq on her return to cabinet.

“I am delighted to see my fellow Inuit leader, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, continue in her role as the Minister of Health,” Simon said.

Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan also retains his role as minister of the renamed Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development department.

The new name, changed from Indian Affairs, stems from a desire to be more inclusive, a Harper spokesman, Andrew MacDougall, told the Globe and Mail.

“Changing the term used in the Minister’s title from ‘Indian’ to ‘Aboriginal’ better reflects the scope of the Minister’s responsibilities with respect to First Nations, Inuit and Métis,” told Globe reporter Bill Curry.

The name change wasn’t announced by the government ahead of time, but turned up in the official announcement of the new cabinet. The department’s website still referred to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada as of mid-afternoon May 18.

Among the new faces in cabinet is Peter Penashue, a former president of the Innu Nation, who took the riding of Labrador for the Conservatives in the May 2 vote. He’ll take over as the new intergovernmental affairs minister and as president of the Privy Council.

Penashue’s ascension to cabinet marks the first time Canada has had two aboriginal cabinet ministers at the same time.

Simon also offered her congratulations to Penashue and to Duncan, saying she’s pleased Duncan will continue as aboriginal affairs minister.