Commissioner of Nunavut explained

Post:Commissioner
Body:Nunavut
Flag:Flag of the Commissioner of Nunavut.svg
Flagsize:150px
Flagcaption:Flag of the Commissioner of Nunavut
Insignia:Badge of the Commissioner of Nunavut.svg
Insigniasize:110px
Insigniacaption:Badge of the Commissioner of Nunavut
Incumbent:Eva Aariak
Incumbentsince:January 14, 2021
Style:The Honourable
Residence:Commissioner's Residence (2554 Paurngaq Crescent)[1]
Appointer:Governor-in-Council
Formation:April 1, 1999
First:Helen Maksagak

The commissioner of Nunavut (Inuktitut: ᑲᒥᓯᓇ ᓄᓇᕗᒧᑦ|translit=Kamisin Nunavumut; Inuinnaqtun: Kamisinauyuq Nunavunmut; French: Commissaire du Nunavut) is the Government of Canada's representative in the territory of Nunavut. The current commissioner since January 14, 2021 is Eva Aariak who served as Premier from 2008 to 2013.

The commissioner is appointed to represent the Canadian federal government and performs many of the same duties of lieutenant governors in Canadian provinces, such as swearing in members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and approving territorial legislation. However, unlike a lieutenant governor or the governor general of Canada, the commissioner is not a viceroy and does not represent the Canadian monarch.

History

The position was created in 1999 with the creation of the new Nunavut territory. Like other territorial commissioners, the commissioner is appointed by the Government of Canada and represents the Canadian cabinet in the territory.

NameTermPremiers
11999–2000Paul Okalik
22000–2005Paul Okalik
32005–2010Paul Okalik
Eva Aariak
[2] Nellie Kusugak (acting) 2010Eva Aariak
4Edna Elias2010–2015[3] Eva Aariak
Peter Taptuna
5Nellie Kusugak2015–2020[4] [5] Peter Taptuna
Paul Quassa
Joe Savikataaq
Rebekah Williams (acting) 2020–2021Joe Savikataaq
6Eva Aariak2021–present[6] [7] Joe Savikataaq
P.J. Akeeagok

Note. Prior to April 1, 1999, Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories. See Commissioners of Northwest Territories.

Deputy commissioner

The role of deputy commissioner was added in 2005 by amending the Public Officer Act and Seals Act to be inline with the Yukon and Northwest Territories.[8]

NameTerm
2005–2009
2010–2015[9]
2019–present

Duties

The duties of the commissioner are similar to that of the lieutenant governors of the provinces. However, since commissioners represent the Government of Canada rather than the Crown, they are not viceroys.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Commissioner's Residence. May 10, 2024.
  2. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2010/05/12/nunavut-commissioner-elias.html Elias named Nunavut commissioner
  3. http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674committee_appointed_to_find_the_next_commissioner_of_nunavut/ Committee appointed to find the next Nunavut commissioner
  4. http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2015/06/23/pm-announces-nellie-taptaqut-kusugak-commissioner-nunavut PM announces Nellie Taptaqut Kusugak as Commissioner of Nunavut
  5. News: Speak Inuktitut, protect the vulnerable, says Nunavut commissioner on end of five-year term . . 23 June 2020 . 15 August 2020.
  6. https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2021/01/12/prime-minister-announces-new-commissioner-nunavut Prime Minister announces new Commissioner of Nunavut
  7. https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=40165&lang=en PC 2021-0006 Appointment of EVA QAMANIQ AARIAK of Iqaluit, Nunavut, to be Commissioner of Nunavut for a term of five years, effective January 14, 2021
  8. http://www.gazette.gc.ca/archives/p2/2005/2005-06-29/html/sor-dors187-eng.html Regulations Amending the Formal Documents Regulations
  9. http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1373058434168/1373058470123 Minister Valcourt Announces Re-Appointment of Nellie T. Kusugak as Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut