Committee appointed to find the next Nunavut commissioner

Edna Elias shakes hands with Prime Minister Stephen Harper May 12, 2010 in Ottawa, following Harper’s announcement of her appointment as Nunavut commissioner. (HANDOUT PHOTO FROM PMO)

The search is on for the next commissioner of Nunavut, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office announced April 14.

The approximately five-year term of Nunavut’s current commissioner, Edna Elias, comes to an end May 11.

The Commissioner of Nunavut is considered the vice-regal head of state for the territory, acting in a role similar to that of the Governor General of Canada and provincial lieutenant governors.

Harper announced April 14 that the five-member advisory committee on vice-regal appointments has begun its search for candidates to fill the position, keeping with the non-partisan process to selection territorial commissioners which was introduced in 2012.

That committee is made up of three members: Kevin MacLeod (chair,) Robert Watt and Jacques Monet.

They will now be joined by two new temporary members, the PMO release said: retired Nunavut Arctic College president Michael Shouldice and the former, long-time Kitikmeot Inuit Association president Charlie Evalik.

“Their knowledge of Nunavut and collective experience will be invaluable in assisting to find strong candidates for the position of Commissioner of Nunavut,” said Harper in the April 14 release.

Next, the advisory committee will consult with stakeholders on prospective candidates to supply a shortlist of candidates to the prime minister’s office.

Nunavut’s fourth commissioner, Elias was appointed to the job on May 31, 2010. Helen Makhagak, Peter Irniq and Ann Hanson have also served in the position.

During her tenure, Elias swore in cabinet ministers and members of the legislative assembly, delivered throne speeches, gave assent to bills and presented the Order of Nunavut and bravery awards to recipients.

Elias has also been a strong advocate for the Inuinnaqtun language and for cancer awareness, participating in the Women in Action walks to raise money for cancer research.