Aariak names new deputy minister of justice for Nunavut

Norman Tarnow is Nunavut’s new deputy minister of justice, after filling in as acting deputy minister since last January, when his predecessor, Janet Slaughter, resigned for personal reasons.

Tarnow formerly served as legal counsel and director of the legal and constitutional law division within the Nunavut justice department.

“I would like to congratulate Norman Tarnow. A hard-working legal advisor and senior manager, Mr. Tarnow brings years of experience to his position and has a solid understanding of Nunavut’s justice system and the objectives under our Tamapta mandate,” Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak said in a May 14 news release.

Called to the British Columbia bar in 1974, and to the Nunavut bar in 2005, Tarnow has practiced for more than 37 years.

“I welcome the opportunity to continue to work with Mr. Tarnow in the role of deputy minister,” said Daniel Shewchuk, Nunavut’s justice minister. “His experience in Nunavut and the North will serve Nunavummiut well.”

Before coming to Nunavut, Tarnow spent more than three years in Yellowknife, where he worked as a self-government negotiator for the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Tarnow is now the longest serving and most senior lawyer, both in years of governmental experience, and in work as a lawyer, within the Nunavut justice department.

Tarnow’s appointment is effective immediately.