The Executive Council of Nunavut or cabinet includes a Premier and seven Ministers and is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly from among the Assembly members.
The cabinet members provide the political direction and accountability for each function, while the Deputy Minister of each department is appointed position with responsibility to guide and manage the daily administration of the budgets and programs of government.
As of November 2008, the current ministers are:
| Member | Minister/Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Eva Aariak | Premier, Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Minister Responsible for Immigration, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Education |
| Peter Taptuna | Deputy Premier, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, Minister Responsible for Mines, Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Development Corporation |
| Tagak Curley | Health and Social Services, Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, Nunavut Housing Corporation, Responsible For Homelessness |
| Lorne Kusugak | Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Minister of Energy, Government House Leader |
| Keith Peterson | Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice, Minister Responsible for Public Agencies Council, Minister Responsible for Labour Standards Board, Minister Responsible for Liquor Licensing Board |
| Daniel Shewchuk | Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Arctic college |
| James Arreak | Minister Responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council, Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Minister of Languages |
| Fred Schell | Minister of Human Resouorces |
Third Legislative Assembly
- Commissioner: Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Edna Elias
- Premier: Eva Aariak
- Secretary to Cabinet: Markus Weber
Appointments and removals Seven of the eight current ministers were chosen on November 14, 2008, following the 2008 election. One seat was left open pending the results of the Akulliq by-election on December 12, 2008, however, so that the winner of that by-election would have the same opportunity as other MLAs to be considered for the remaining position.
After the Akulliq by-election was sent to a recount which resulted in an exact tie between the two leading contenders, thus necessitating a second by-election, the MLAs announced on January 22, 2009 that they would no longer hold the remaining seat open, but would fill the vacancy so that they could proceed with pending government business. The final spot was filled on January 26, 2009, when the MLAs appointed Tagak Curley over James Arvaluk and Fred Schell.
On January 24, 2009, Louis Tapardjuk was removed as Minister of Justice with the duties being assumed by Premier Eva Aariak. The removal was caused by leaked email from Tapardjuk that read in part; "Often, in cases of domestic disputes, both parties share the blame, but according to the criminal code, the person who gets physical is charged, even though the other party may have initiated the conflict. Often the male is charged even though the conflict may have been initiated by the female partner." The email was sent to Nunavut News/North who forwarded it to the Premier, who indicated that the remarks appeared to "...condone violence against women and men...". Former Premier Paul Okalik defended Tapardjuk, stating that the email was an attempt to start a debate.
Following two announcements of massive debt and overspending of funds at the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Hunter Tootoo was moved to Minister of Education from Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Minister Tapardjuk was moved from Education to fill the gap at Housing.
Famous quotes containing the words executive and/or council:
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