Commissioner of Nunavut
Template:Infobox official post The commissioner of Nunavut (Template:Langx; Inuinnaqtun: Kamisinauyuq Nunavunmut; Template:Langx) 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.
| # | Name | Term | Premiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helen Maksagak | 1999–2000 | Paul Okalik |
| 2 | Peter Irniq | 2000–2005 | Paul Okalik |
| 3 | Ann Meekitjuk Hanson | 2005–2010 | Paul Okalik |
| Eva Aariak | |||
| –<ref name="CBC1">Elias named Nunavut commissioner</ref> | Nellie Kusugak (acting) | 2010 | Eva Aariak |
| 4 | Edna Elias | 2010–2015<ref>Committee appointed to find the next Nunavut commissioner</ref> | Eva Aariak |
| Peter Taptuna | |||
| 5 | Nellie Kusugak | 2015–2020<ref name="kusugak">PM announces Nellie Taptaqut Kusugak as Commissioner of Nunavut Template:Webarchive</ref><ref name="kusugak-cbc">Template:Cite news</ref> | Peter Taptuna |
| Paul Quassa | |||
| Joe Savikataaq | |||
| – | Rebekah Williams (acting)<ref name="kusugak-cbc" /> | 2020–2021 | Joe Savikataaq |
| 6 | Eva Aariak | 2021–present<ref name="aariak">Prime Minister announces new Commissioner of Nunavut Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>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</ref> | Joe Savikataaq |
| P.J. Akeeagok | |||
| John Main |
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.<ref>Regulations Amending the Formal Documents Regulations Template:Webarchive</ref>
| Name | Term |
| Helen Maksagak | 2005–2009 |
| Nellie Kusugak | 2010–2015<ref>Minister Valcourt Announces Re-Appointment of Nellie T. Kusugak as Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut Template:Webarchive</ref><ref name="kusugak"/> |
| Rebekah Williams | 2019–2022<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Lew Philip | 2024–present<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
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.