Okalik shuffles cabinet, civil service

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

Premier Paul Okalik asserted his power over government last Friday, shuffling cabinet portfolios and making key changes within several government departments.

Though he told Nunatsiaq News last month that he had no plans to punish Education Minister Peter Kilabuk for the failure of the proposed education act, he, in effect, demoted Kilabuk this week by moving him from the government’s largest department to its smallest.

Kilabuk is the new minister of culture, language, elders and youth, with additional responsibility for the department of community government and transportation.

Tom Rich, the deputy minister of education, was similarly spanked and will follow Kilabuk to CGT.

Manitok Thompson will relinquish her role as minister of CGT, which she often struggled with during question period, and take over the high-profile education department, as well as the department of human resources.

Pam Hine, one of the government’s rising stars, will leave her post as president of the Nunavut Housing Corporation to take on the role of deputy minister of education.

While Thompson has a background in teaching, Kilabuk’s expertise is in fisheries management, which may explain his rough approach to Nunavut schools.

In explaining the reasoning behind the shuffle, Okalik said he asked ministers to give him their preferences.

But Kilabuk said during an April 4 press conference that he did not ask to be moved from the education portfolio, though he would assume his new posts willingly.

“I won’t say that I asked to be moved,” he said. “I consider it an honour to serve cabinet in whichever capacity.”

Olayuk Akesuk will retain his post as minister of sustainable development, though he appeared pleased to give up responsibility for CLEY.

The changes take effect on or before next Friday. The remainder represent a mix of simple housekeeping matters, personal requests and administrative moves. Okalik said they reflect a need to share the workload and fulfill the GN’s obligations under the Bathurst Mandate.

Anne Crawford, the most powerful civil servant within the GN, will leave her post as secretary to cabinet and deputy minister of the department of the executive and intergovernmental affairs. However, she will fill in as deputy minister of health and social services until the new DM, Bernie Blais, arrives in July.

Blais was the ADM of health in Manitoba and is currently president and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

John Walsh, the DM of CGT will replace Crawford.

Kirt Ejesiak, the deputy mayor of Iqaluit and Okalik’s campaign manager in the 1999 territorial election, will assume the role of principal secretary, the premier’s most trusted advisor. He will also take on the responsibility of ensuring that the premier’s office operates in accordance with Inuit Qajimajatuqangit.

The Apex resident runs Uqsiq Communications Inc., a graphic design firm that has done business with the GN, as well as other clients.

Ejesiak missed a scheduled interview this week and did not return subsequent phone calls to his office, so it is not clear what his future involvement in the company might be or whether the company will continue to bid on government contracts.

However, Ejesiak resigned this week from his seat on Iqaluit City Council.

Brad Favel, the current principal secretary, will leave the job he has held for less than a year to become the public servant responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation. He will also be responsible for overseeing Nunavut’s role in implementing the Kyoto Accord.

Peter Scott, who currently holds that role, will become president of the Nunavut Housing Corp., replacing Pam Hine.

As a result of Manitok Thompson’s new responsibilities for human resources, her husband, Tom Tompson, must give up his position as ADM of the department. He will assume a similar role at the department of justice, with a focus on supporting the corrections system.

Okalik Egeesiak will replace Tom Thompson as ADM of human resources, leaving her position as director of policy with EIA.

Simon Awa will move from his current post in justice to a new ADM position created as a result of reorganization within the department of sustainable development, where he will be in charge of community operations.

As individual GN departments carry through with their decentralization plans, David Akeeagok, the man who put those plans in place, will move to the department of finance to develop new skills.

Victor Tootoo will move from his position as ADM of finance to health and social services, to give the financially troubled department some support.

Abraham Tagalik, the ADM of health and social services, will move to his home community of Arviat to serve as vice-president of the Nunavut Housing Corp.

“I let them know a while ago that if they ever need anyone in Arviat I would put my name forward,” he said. “I grew up there. I went there when I was nine years old. I was a little kid there and I grew up there. I always consider it home.”

During his short stint with the GN, Tagalik had the unenviable role of director of client travel, which meant he approved escort requests, making difficult, often emotional, decisions.

“You think coming in that you can change the world,” he said. “But you soon realize that it’s pretty set in its ways and it has been for a long time and probably will be when we leave.”