Simeonie Akpalialuk named new chair of Nunavut’s power utility

Simeonie Akpalialuk, who now lives in Iqaluit, will serve as chairperson for the board that oversees the Qulliq Energy Corp., a QEC news release says.

Akpalialuk is originally from Pangnirtung and has served as an economic development officer in that community.

“His long-lived passion for alternative energy makes him a valuable member of the QEC board. Mr. Akpalialuk holds a Business Administration diploma from Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in British Columbia,” a QEC backgrounder says.

Akpalialuk was appointed to the board in May 2017 to a three-year term and has served as acting chairperson since May of this year, after former chair Bert Rose’s term expired.

Keith Peterson, the former Cambridge Bay mayor, MLA and Nunavut finance minister, will serve as vice-chairperson of the QEC board.

Also, Martha Lenio of Iqaluit and Andrew Nakashuk of Pangnirtung are named as board members.

The chairperson and vice-chairperson will serve until May 2020, and the new directors will serve for three years.

The Nunavut cabinet approved all those appointments recently. Cabinet also approved the resignation of Juanie Pudluk, who was appointed in October 2018 and resigned in July 2019.

Jeannie Ehaloak, the minister responsible for the QEC, used the news release to thank the four former board members whose terms have expired: Bert Rose, Ronnie Campbell, Nelson Pisco and Philip Clark.

“They have been instrumental in developing the corporation’s long-term plans and I am confident Simeonie Akpalialuk, together with the new and existing board members, will further progress the board’s vision for the corporation,” Ehaloak said.

With these new appointments the QEC’s board now has eight members.