Charest names new native affairs minister

Geoff Kelley, who represents an electoral district on the West Island of Montreal, returns to the Quebec native affairs portfolio, which he held between 2005 and 2007.

Geoffrey Kelley, a Liberal member of Quebec’s National Assembly, was named native affairs minister in a cabinet shuffle that Premier Jean Charest announced Feb. 3.

Kelley replaces outgoing minister Pierre Corbeil, who has held the post since 2007.

Kelley, an English-speaking Montrealer, previously held the native affairs post between 2005 and 2007. He has represented the riding of Jacques Cartier since 1994.

The shuffle puts Kelley back on Nunavik’s radar, particularly in the lead up to the launch of Plan Nord, Quebec’s blueprint for development across the north.

Kelley is expected to visit the region over the next few months to meet with Inuit leaders before the plan’s announcement, set for the early spring.

Nunavik is also waiting for movement on creation of the Nunavik Regional Government and a stalled plan to build 1,000 new social housing units.