A stronger team for Nunavut

From the legislative assembly chamber to the cabinet table, Nunavut now enjoys what looks like a stronger system of governance, thanks to the MLAs we chose in the Feb. 16 election.

Premier Paul Okalik’s portfolio assignments are dripping with political symbolism, of course, but every single cabinet member also seems more than capable of doing his or her job.

At the same time, the regular members caucus, packed with political veterans like Tagak Curley, Keith Peterson, Hunter Tootoo, Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Peter Kattuk and Levi Barnabas, ought to produce a strong legislative committee system, and some effective question periods.

Here’s a quick look at Okalik’s new cabinet, and some the challenges they’re likely to face:

* Levinia Brown: Deputy Premier, Health and Social Services
Though few observers stayed around to hear it, Levinia Brown, a former mayor of Rankin Inlet, made one of the best speeches last Friday when the legislative assembly’s 11 cabinet candidates each stood up to ask for support from their fellow MLAs. She talked knowingly about the obvious, common-sense links between health, economic development and education.

Now she’ll take on one of the biggest and most difficult departments in government. Her challenge will be to continue the momentum created by Ed Picco’s various measures, while handling the sometimes harsh public criticism that, in time, every health minister must endure.

* Leona Aglukkaq: Finance, Government House Leader
Though she’s still a young woman, Aglukkaq owns a wealth of experience in government administration, having served as deputy minister, assistant deputy minister, deputy clerk of the legislative assembly, and other jobs within the governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Now she’ll take on the Nunavut government’s financial management responsiblities at a time when spending is growing faster than new revenues. She’s got a tough job ahead of her: hold the line on spending at a time when unionized workers are making expensive new demands, win the confidence of the business community, and learn to say no — politely — to a long list of supplicants.

* Olayuk Akesuk: Environment, Workers’ Compensation Board
The young MLA from Baffin South came into his own last year as the Sustainable Development minister who steered the all-important Wildlife Act through the assembly before dissolution last year. Now he’ll preside over a separate environment department whose mandate will no longer conflict with the business and mining functions of the former Sustainable Development department.

* Peter Kilabuk: Community and Government Services, Nunavut Housing Corporation
The well-liked and highly capable MLA from Pangnirtung will continue to deal with the department responsible for Nunavut’s cash-strapped, infrastructure-starved municipalities, some of which are operating under deficit-reduction plans, and will preside over Nunavut’s desperate social housing shortage. He’ll get a big boost if Nunavut is able to negotiate more infrastructure and housing money from Ottawa.

* Ed Picco: Education, Nunavut Arctic College
Picco has always displayed a strong interest in education, but until now he’s been required to observe the department from a distance. There are so many priorities requiring attention in the education portfolio, his biggest challenge may be figuring out where to start first – though the public will want to see action soon on Inuktitut curriculum development, a new education act, academic standards, and school governance issues.

* David Simailak: Economic Development and Transportation, Energy
Simailak, a prominent community leader and businessman from Baker Lake, will likely be involved in the Northern Development Fund that Premier Paul Okalik announced in the assembly last Friday during the premiership debate. His toughest challenge may lie in the energy portfolio. He will be required to preside over the creation of a new rate system for the Nunavut Power Corporation — whose rates have remained unchanged since 1998.

* Louis Tapardjuk: Culture, Languages, Elders and Youth; Human Resources
As expected, the MLA from Amittuq, who held many leadership positions in Baffin and Nunavut over the past 30 years, will take over the GN’s small culture department, as well as Human Resources, the department responsible for staffing. Tarpardjuk’s presence in those portfolios will help Okalik’s government deflect criticism directed at the GN’s Inuit employment levels.

JB