Commissioner of Nunavut
| Commissioner of Nunavut | |
|---|---|
| ᑲᒥᓯᓇ ᓄᓇᕗᒧᑦ Kamisinauyuq Nunavunmut Commissaire du Nunavut | |
 Badge of the Commissioner of Nunavut | |
 Flag of the Commissioner of Nunavut | |
since June 23, 2015 | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Queen-in-Council |
| Formation | April 1, 1999 |
| First holder | Helen Maksagak |
| Website | commissioner |
The Commissioner of Nunavut (Inuktitut: ᑲᒥᓯᓇ ᓄᓇᕗᒧᑦ; Inuinnaqtun: Kamisinauyuq Nunavunmut; French: Commissaire du Nunavut) is the Government of Canada's representative in the territory of Nunavut. The current commissioner since June 23, 2015 is Nellie Kusugak, the fifth since the establishment of Nunavut in 1999.
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, he or she is appointed by the Government of Canada and represents the Canadian cabinet in the territory.
| # | Name | Term |
| 1 | Helen Maksagak | 1999-2000 |
| 2 | Peter Irniq | 2000-2005 |
| 3 | Ann Meekitjuk Hanson | 2005-2010 |
| –[1] | Nellie Kusugak (acting) | 2010 |
| 4 | Edna Elias | 2010-2015[2] |
| 5 | Nellie Kusugak | 2015-present[3] |
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.[4]
| Name | Term |
| Helen Maksagak | 2005-2009 |
| Nellie Kusugak | 2010-2015[5][3] |
| Rebekah Williams | 2019 to Present |
Living former Commissioners
Duties
The duties of the Commissioner is similar to that of the lieutenant governors of the provinces, but, they represent the Government of Canada not the monarch therefore, they are not viceroys.
References
- ^ Elias named Nunavut commissioner
- ^ Committee appointed to find the next Nunavut commissioner
- ^ a b PM announces Nellie Taptaqut Kusugak as Commissioner of Nunavut Archived 2015-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Regulations Amending the Formal Documents Regulations Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Minister Valcourt Announces Re-Appointment of Nellie T. Kusugak as Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
