Aariak, Nunavut cabinet survive leadership review

Premier Eva Aariak and all six cabinet ministers held on to their jobs after MLAs conducted a day-long leadership review in Iqaluit Nov. 3.

MLAs peppered Aariak and her ministers with questions for about eight hours, then voted, essentially, to do nothing. Voting was done by secret ballot, and the ballots were destroyed after the vote, so the exact results will never be known.

Aariak, for her part, was relieved by the results but didn’t view the process as a waste of time.

“I think it has actually helped to reflect back to the day we were elected and a chance to illustrate how far we have gone to date, and also to illustrate how much we have to do,” she told reporters after the results were announced.

Education minister Hunter Tootoo, who faced widespread criticism for his handling of cost overruns at the Nunavut Housing Corporation when he was housing minister, said everyone in cabinet was relieved by the result.

“It’s given all of us in cabinet a bit of a boost,” he said.

Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott said the decision to move the leadership review up from February helped to light a fire under the government.

“We had some concerns with some of the ministers in terms of how they were handling their portfolios and it seems like things are coming together,” he said.

The premier kicked off the day with a 20-minute speech listing her government’s accomplishments and defending her leadership style. Aariak’s critics say she’s not experienced or forceful enough, but the premier said political inexperience is common in Nunavut.

What’s more important, she said, “is a strong moral compass.”

“By keeping one’s life firmly rooted in Inuit culture and values, I believe that the judgment and wisdom required for a political role comes more naturally,” she said. “The day-to-day skills of a politician can be learned by anyone.”

The premier then took questions from regular MLAs in what was little more than a protracted version of question period.

But responding to a question from Akulliq MLA John Ningark, Aariak said the three priorities for her government are the eradication of poverty, winning a devolution deal with Ottawa and improving Nunavut’s financial management.

Cabinet ministers then followed, making speeches that mostly sounded like job interview answers, before taking questions from MLAs.

A large number focused on Tagak Curley, the health minister, and the proceedings were mostly cordial.

The only moment of friction took place between Tootoo and Iqaluit West MLA Paul Okalik. Okalik complained Tootoo has been difficult to schedule meetings with.

“Now he knows what I’ve been through the last 10 years,” Tootoo said, referring to Okalik’s time as premier.