Anawak to be named interim commissioner

TODD PHILLIPS

Nunatsiaq MP Jack Anawak will soon be appointed as Nunavut’s interim commissioner.

Sources told Nunatsiaq News that Anawak had told several people this week he’s about to be named to the post.

But as of our presstime Wednesday night, Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin had yet to make a public announcement on the appointment.

The short list had been whittled down from six names to three: Anawak, Iqaluit Mayor Joe Kunuk and Ken MacRury, the former regional director for the Baffin.

Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin, NTI President Jose Kusugak and NWT Premier Don Morin were expected to hold a teleconference this week to talk about who they want for the job.

Kusugak didn’t return calls by our presstime to confirm NTI had agreed to Anawak. Anawak did not return our calls by presstime to confirm he was to be appointed.

Ottawa hired the executive search firm Caldwell Partners to advertise the position and screen potential candidates.

The interim commissioner is expected to play a key role in representing the interests of the people of Nunavut until the new territory is created on April 1, 1999 and the first Nunavut legislative assembly is elected.

Several prominent Liberals in Nunavut are already testing the waters for an election run of their own to fill Anawak’s Nunatsiaq seat after he’s appointed.

One person who’s thinking about running for Anawak’s seat and who didn’t want to be named, says he first has to consider whether he’s ready to back the government’s stand on the goods and services tax, the recent out of court settlement in the libel suit launched by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and the much-hated gun control bill.

At least one current member of the legislative assembly has also been approached to see if he’s interested in running.