Bureaucrats, meet the new boss

SARA MINOGUE

Five out of eight cabinet ministers got new assignments this past Monday when Premier Paul Okalik announced a mid-term cabinet shuffle.

Nattilik MLA Leona Aglukkaq suffered the most dislocation. Despite delivering a balanced budget this past March, the former finance minister will now take over the health department. She will also step down as house leader.

The health department will not be an easy post. With a $240 million budget, the department consumes 25 per cent of government of Nunavut spending. Aglukkaq will also oversee the opening and staffing of the new Baffin Regional Hospital and two new regional health centres.

Rankin Inlet North MLA Levinia Brown vacates health for another big spending department – community and government services. Brown’s experience as Rankin Inlet’s first female mayor should help her to work with hamlets dealing with infrastructure and governance.

Pangnirtung MLA Peter Kilabuk leaves community and government services to become the new house leader and minister of economic development and transportation – a department whose headquarters are conveniently located in his home town.

Baker Lake MLA David Simailak vacates economic development and transportation to take over the finance portfolio.

Deadbeat renters across Nunavut may be pleased to see that environment minister Olayuk Akesuk has gained responsibility for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.

Last year, a CBC reporter revealed that Akesuk owed more than $10,000 in rental arrears to the hamlet of Cape Dorset. In July, Akesuk was reprimanded by the integrity commissioner for not disclosing the debt, and $300 was deducted from his bank account twice a month to clear the debt.

The moves, Okalik said, were designed to help the government work toward its goals outlined in the Pinasuaqtavuk mandate.

“I’m utilizing the skills of all the ministers to make sure that our agenda does not get hijacked by anyone.”

Okalik did not confirm any other staffing changes as of Nunatsiaq News’ press time on Wednesday.