Former deputy premier dies in Iqaluit

Goo Arlooktoo, a former deputy premier in the Northwest Territories government, died suddenly this week at his home in Iqaluit. He was 38.

Arlooktoo worked as a member’s assistant in the NWT legislative assembly and represented the Baffin South constituency between 1995 and 1999. During that time he held the portfolios of public works, municipal and community affairs and deputy premier.

In the 1999 Nunavut election, Arlooktoo was defeated in his attempt to win the Baffin South seat. Since then he has worked as a consultant in Iqaluit.

He also served as external relations director for the 2002 Arctic Winter Games host society.

The members of Nunavut’s legislature received the news of Arlooktoo’s passing with shock.

“He brought a very high standard of integrity and dedication,” said Nunavut’s finance minister Kelvin Ng, who first met and worked with Arlooktoo in the 1980s.

Ng said Arlooktoo was highly respected by the other members of the Northwest Territories legislature.

“He was always promoting the Nunavut side of things,” Ng said. “In whatever way he chose, he would have made a significant contribution to Nunavut.”