Aariak plugs big holes in Nunavut’s civil service

Premier Eva Aariak, in an announcement issued June 10, plugged two big senior management holes within the top ranks of the Nunavut government’s civil service this week, and shuffled a long-time civil servant into a third senior job.

Daniel Vandermeulen, who has served as president of Nunavut Arctic College since 2007, will become deputy minister of Executive as of June 20.

Vandermeulen succeeds Markus Weber, an Iqaluit lawyer who was first appointed to the job in November 2008. Aariak announced Weber’s departure from the position April 15.

“Originally from Alberta, Mr. Vandermeulen has governance experience as a municipal councilor, the chair of the board of trustees of a large rural school division, and a member of provincial boards. He has worked as an educator, administrator and superintendent since 1968…” a GN announcement said.

The deputy minister of Executive, who reports to the premier, is the most powerful unelected official within the Nunavut government.

Vandermuelen’s other job titles will include Secretary to Cabinet and Secretary to the Senior Personnel Secretariat.

In another appointment, Chris D’Arcy of Iqaluit will become deputy minister of Finance as of June 13.

D’Arcy, who has held managerial jobs in Nunavut since 1995, most recently served as assistant deputy minister for policy and planning at the Department of Finance.

He succeeds Peter Ma, who was appointed deputy minister of the Department of Health and Social Services this past January.

In another move, Joe Kunuk of Iqaluit, who serves right now as principal secretary within Aariak’s office, will become deputy minister of Human Resources.

Kunuk will replace Louise Wasson, who announced her resignation from the job and her retirement from the public service.

“I would like to thank Louise for her contributions to the Department of Human Resources, especially her leadership in addressing the Auditor General’s report on Government of Nunavut capacity,” Aariak said in the June 10 announcement.

Kunuk’s appointment to the top job at the Human Resources department takes effect July 29.

It’s not clear who will succeed Kunuk as principal secretary.