Nunavut cabinet shuffle also moves Tapardjuk to Education

Tagak Curley was sworn into Nunavut's cabinet Jan. 29 during a brief ceremony at the Legislative Assembly attended by family and colleagues.

He becomes Nunavut's new minister of Health and Social Services.

"Across the territory, people need better health care, healthier communities, resident nurses, and more access to doctors… I have asked Minister Curley to lead Health and Social Services in finding innovative solutions," Eva Aariak, the Premier, said in a news release.

The cabinet shuffle also sees Keith Peterson give up health and take on the Justice portfolio. That change became necessary late last month after Louis Tapardjuk was stripped of justice for making controversial comments about domestic violence and suicide in an internal email.

Tapardjuk takes over Education from Hunter Tootoo and retains Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Tootoo takes over responsibility for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, which was shuffled from Lorne Kusugak, who will continue on as the minister of Community and Government Services and energy.

The structure of the new assembly was also settled, with the announcement of the standing committees.

Standing committee on legislation: James Arvaluk, Moses Aupaluktuq, Ron Elliott, Adamee Komoartok, Johnny Ningeongan, Paul Okalik, Enuk Pauloosie, Allen Rumbolt, and Fred Schell;

Standing committee on oversight of government operations and public accounts: James Arvaluk, Moses Aupaluktuq, Ron Elliott, Adamee Komoartok, Johnny Ningeongan, Paul Okalik, Enuk Pauloosie, Allen Rumbolt, and Fred Schell;

Standing committee on social wellness: James Arvaluk, Moses Aupaluktuq, Ron Elliott, Johnny Ningeongan, and Paul Okalik, with Adamee Komoartok and Enuk Pauloosie as alternates;

Standing committee on community and economic development: Adamee Komoartok, Enuk Pauloosie, Allen Rumbolt, and Fred Schell, with James Arvaluk, Ron Elliott and Johnny Ningeongan as alternates;

Standing committee on rules, procedures and privileges: Moses Aupaluktuq, Ron Elliott, Paul Okalik, Enuk Pauloosie, and Keith Peterson, with James Arvaluk and Adamee Komoartok as alternates.

The Legislature resumes March 17.