Premier of Nunavut
The Premier of Nunavut is the first minister for the Canadian territory of Nunavut. The Premier is the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although their powers are somewhat smaller than those of a provincial premier.
Premier of Nunavut | |
---|---|
Style | The Honourable |
Appointer | Commissioner of Nunavut, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly |
Inaugural holder | Paul Okalik |
Formation | 1 April 1999 |
Unlike most other premiers who are officially appointed by a Lieutenant-Governor or Commissioner on account of their leadership of a majority bloc in the legislature, the premier of Nunavut (and the cabinet) is directly elected by the non-partisan members of the Legislative Assembly, in accordance with the system of consensus government. He is then formally appointed by the Commissioner of Nunavut, who is bound to act on the Assembly's recommendation by both the Nunavut Act and convention.[1][2]
History
The territory's first premier, Paul Okalik, was elected after the 1999 general elections. He was re-elected to a second term after the 2004 general elections.[3] Although Okalik was re-elected to a third term after the 2008 general elections in the Iqaluit West riding, he was defeated by newly elected MLA Eva Aariak in the premiership vote on November 14.[4] On 15 November, 2013, Peter Taptuna beat out Paul Okalik and Paul Quassa for the position of premier.[5]
Premiers of Nunavut
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) District |
Term of office | Electoral mandates (Assembly)
|
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Paul Okalik (b. 1964) MLA for Iqaluit West |
1 April 1999 – 19 November 2008 |
|
|
2 | Eva Aariak (b. 1955) MLA for Iqaluit East |
19 November 2008 – 19 November 2013 |
|
|
3 | Peter Taptuna (b. 1956) MLA for Kugluktuk |
19 November 2013 – 21 November 2017 |
|
|
4 | Paul Quassa (b. 1952) MLA for Aggu |
21 November 2017 – June 14 2018 |
|
|
5 | Joe Savikataaq (b. 1960) MLA for Arviat South |
14 June 2018 – |
|
|
Living former premiers
As of June 2018, four former premiers are alive. Since the creation of the office in 1999, no former premier has died.
Name | Term | Date of birth |
---|---|---|
Paul Okalik | 1999–2008 | May 26, 1964 |
Eva Aariak | 2008–2013 | January 10, 1955 |
Peter Taptuna | 2013–2017 | 1956 (age 63–64) |
Paul Quassa | 2017–2018 | 1951 (age 68–69) |
References
- Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Frequently Asked Questions
- The Role of the Commissioner of Nunavut
- "Constituency Profiles". CBC. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
- "Nunavut names new premier" Archived 2008-11-17 at the Wayback Machine, The Globe and Mail, November 14, 2008.
- MLAs choose Peter Taptuna to serve as Nunavut premier