Nunavut premier gives CGS to Savikataaq, QEC, NHC to Hickes

Arviat South MLA Joe Savikataaaq will serve as minister of Community and Government Services. (FILE PHOTO)

Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes will become minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corp. and the Qulliq Energy Corp. (FILE PHOTO)

(Corrected 10:30 a.m., Nov. 13)

Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes will become minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corp. and the Qulliq Energy Corp., while Arviat South MLA Joe Savikataaq will handle the Department of Community and Government Services, Premier Peter Taptuna said Nov. 12.

The appointments, which go to the two MLAs chosen for cabinet jobs this past Nov. 9, are effective immediately, Taptuna said in a statement.

At the same time, Arviat North-Whale Cove MLA George Kuksuk loses the housing portfolio, Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike loses the CGS portfolio and Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson, still the finance minister and minister responsible for three other portfolios, now has the QEC taken off his plate.

Kuksuk will take responsibility for the troubled department of Family Services, a position vacated by the ex-MLA for Netsilik, Jeannie Ugyuk, when MLAs ousted her from cabinet Nov. 7, provoking her into resigning her seat.

Taptuna also assigned Kuksuk responsibility for poverty reduction and homelessness.

And Kuksuk remains minister of Culture and Heritage and minister of languages.

Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Monica Ell-Kanayuk will take one of Ugyuk’s other portfolios, responsibility for Status of Women.

Honourable Peter Taptuna
Premier
Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs
Minister responsible for Seniors’ Advocate

Honourable Monica Ell-Kanayuk
Deputy Premier
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation
Minister responsible for Mines
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Development Corporation
Minister of Energy
Minister responsible for the Status of Women

Honourable George Kuksuk
Minister of Culture and Heritage
Minister of Languages
Minister of Family Services
Minister responsible for Poverty Reduction
Minister responsible for Homelessness

Honourable Johnny Mike
Minister of Environment
Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council

Honourable Paul Okalik
Minister of Justice
Minister responsible for the Human Rights Tribunal
Minister responsible for the Labour Standards Board
Minister of Health
Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention
Minister responsible for Immigration

Honourable Keith Peterson
Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Financial Management Board
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor Commission
Minister responsible for the Liquor Licensing Board
Minister responsible for Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission

Honourable Paul Quassa
Minister of Education
Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College
Government House Leader

Honourable George Hickes
Minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corporation
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation

Honourable Joe Savikataaq
Minister of Community and Government Services
Nunavut Chair, Hudson Bay Roundtable

An earlier version of this story reported incorrectly that the Community and Government Services portfolio moved from George Kuksuk to Joe Savikataaq. However, that portfolio had been held by Johnny Mike prior to the cabinet shuffle.