Okalik shares power with assembly’s women

Premier Paul Okalik will sit shoulder-to-shoulder in the legislative assembly with Nunavut’s only two female MLAs, who will each take on the two most prestigious jobs within the cabinet: deputy premier and government house leader.

Levinia Brown, the member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, will serve as deputy premier, minister of Health and Social Services, and minister responsible for the status of women. Leona Aglukkaq, the member for Nattilik, will serve as government house leader and minister of Finance.

Okalik announced portfolio assignments for Nunavut’s new cabinet ministers this Tuesday. The cabinet, elected by MLAs last Friday, contains five Baffin MLAs, and four first-time ministers.

Okalik will keep the two portfolios he held before the election: Justice, and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.

The rest of the cabinet is as follows:

* Olayuk Akesuk: Minister of the Environment, Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board;
* Peter Kilabuk: Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation;
* Ed Picco: Minster of Education, Minister Responsible for Arctic College, Minister responsible for homelessness and immigration;
* David Simailak: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister of Energy, Minister of Qulliq Energy Corporation;
* Louis Tapardjuk: Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Minister of Human Resources.

Four other members, who were among the 11 members nominated for cabinet in last Friday’s vote, didn’t make the cut: Uqqummiut MLA James Arreak, Sanikiluaq MLA Peter Kattuk, Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo and Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson.

Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley, fresh from his loss to Okalik for the government leadership, declined a nomination for a position on cabinet, saying he’ll play a watchdog role.

But 11 other MLAs who accepted nominations made strong pitches for their colleagues’ support in 10-minute speeches at last Friday’s leadership forum.

Most nominees took their cue from Aglukkaq, the first to speak, who emphasized her experience and eagerness to serve instead of a desire for a particular portfolio.

“I am ready for the challenge,” said Baker Lake MLA David Simailak, a businessman, former mayor, and member of several boards. “I am known for getting things done.”

“The second time I will have a better understanding,” promised South Baffin MLA Olayuk Akesuk, who served as minister of two departments in the last government.

Akesuk said he’d work hard and treat everyone fairly “no matter who they are.”

Peter Kilabuk, re-elected to represent Pangnirtung for another term, promoted his experience as a former minister as one of his major strengths.

Ed Picco, MLA for Iqaluit East, mentioned his “exciting and difficult” career as MLA and minister, citing his accomplishments as health minister.

Picco, originally from Newfoundland, delivered part of his speech in Inuktitut.

“I wasn’t born in Nunavut,” he said. “But I’m proud to call Nunavut my home.”

Hunter Tootoo, the MLA for Iqaluit Centre, said he’d been an effective and hard-working MLA in the last government and could offer “experience and ideals” to cabinet.

“I believe in putting people first,” Tootoo said. However, Tootoo failed to win a seat on cabinet.

“A 100 per cent Inuk” is how Sanikiluaq MLA Peter Kattuk presented himself – a man who grew up traditionally in an isolated community, but has shown himself able to represent the interests of his constituents and the territory.

A few MLAs appeared to direct their comments towards a particular seat in cabinet.

Levinia Brown made a reasoned argument for the need to combine social reform, economic development and community empowerment to improve the overall health and well-being of Nunavut and its residents – perhaps strengthening her pitch for the health and social services portfolio.

With an eye to leading Nunavut’s culture, language, youth and elders department, Louis Tapardjuk, the new MLA for Amittuq and a long-time social and cultural activist, said he’d protect and promote Inuit ways.

Keith Peterson, the newly-elected MLA for Cambridge Bay, spoke about his “strong mandate from the folks back home,” his experience in municipal affairs, and his determination to “help the Nunavut government in any way I can.”

Peterson, however, will have to wait for another opportunity to run for a cabinet seat.