Commissioner of Nunavut
Government representative in Nunavut, Canada
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The commissioner of Nunavut (Inuktitut: ᑲᒥᓯᓇ ᓄᓇᕗᒧᑦ, romanized: 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.
- Governor-in-Council
| Commissioner of Nunavut | |
|---|---|
| ᑲᒥᓯᓇ ᓄᓇᕗᒧᑦ Kamisinauyuq Nunavunmut Commissaire du Nunavut | |
Badge of the Commissioner of Nunavut | |
 Flag of the Commissioner of Nunavut | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Residence | Commissioner's Residence[1] |
| Appointer |
|
| Formation | April 1, 1999 |
| First holder | Helen Maksagak |
| Website | commissioner |
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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; instead, they represent the federal government.
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 | |||
| –[2] | Nellie Kusugak (acting) | 2010 | Eva Aariak |
| 4 | Edna Elias | 2010–2015[3] | Eva Aariak |
| Peter Taptuna | |||
| 5 | Nellie Kusugak | 2015–2020[4][5] | Peter Taptuna |
| Paul Quassa | |||
| Joe Savikataaq | |||
| – | Rebekah Williams (acting)[5] | 2020–2021 | Joe Savikataaq |
| 6 | Eva Aariak | 2021–present[6][7] | 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 position of deputy commissioner was created when Nunavut was created in 1999,[8] but it has not always been filled.
| Name | Term |
| Helen Maksagak | 2005–2009 |
| Nellie Kusugak | 2010–2015[9][4] |
| Rebekah Williams | 2019–2022[10] |
| Lew Philip | 2024–present[11] |
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.