Nunavut’s information and privacy commissioner to leave after completing term
Graham Steele says a a lot of progress has been made, but much work remains
Privacy commissioner Graham Steele says there are a lot of unknown risks around the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. (File photo by Melanie Ritchot)
Nunavut’s information and privacy commissioner won’t seek another five-year term when his appointment ends in January.
“I do intend to serve until the end of my five-year term but I am not seeking reappointment,” commissioner Graham Steele said Thursday.
Steele made the remarks during the first day of Nunavut’s oversight and public accounts committee’s review of the privacy commissioner’s annual report.
It would likely be Steele’s final opportunity to speak to MLAs on the committee, so he discussed what he wanted to see in his replacement.
“My late predecessor Elaine Keenan Bengts served in this position with distinction for over 20 years, but she was based in Yellowknife,” he said.
Steele, who is a lawyer and a former MLA in Nova Scotia, was the first commissioner to serve and live in Nunavut.
“Having a commissioner based in Nunavut was a step forward. I believe it has made the Nunavut access and privacy system stronger. I hope the next commissioner will also live and work in Nunavut,” he said.
Steele lauded the Health Department’s work on privacy and information.
“Leadership from the top is so important, and there is good leadership from the top of the Department of Health.”
“I also want to mention the Department of Education. When I arrived in Nunavut in 2021, Education was just lost on access and privacy files. It simply did not seem to know what to do.”
“There is still a way to go, but things are indeed getting better at the Department of Education,” he said.
Steele said his final day will be Jan. 10, 2026.
Nunavuts only role is to elevate itinerant workers.
He did a five year term and probably wasn’t able to cause much of a dent. MLAs won’t hold the GN staff accountable to follow policies related to ethics or their own job descriptions. People use the GN as leverage to benefit themselves at all times, from the top down. I certainly doubt many cared about his suggestions or felt they needed to.