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Savikataaq announces senior management shifts

Lorne Kusugak will be the minister of a new Department of Human Resources, set to be operational come April 1.

Sheila Kolola will be deputy minister effective Dec. 17.

photo courtesy Michel Albert/Legislative Assembly
Premier Joe Savikataaq announced Dec. 14 that Minister of Community and Government Services Lorne Kusugak will also head a new Department of Human Resources, set to become operational April 1.

Kusugak will also continue to serve as Minister of Community and Government Services.

"I committed early in my term to the creation of the Department of Human Resources, and I am very excited to get it up and running in the next few months," stated Savikataaq in a news release Dec. 14.

"Minister Kusugak has the skills and abilities to ensure fairness and consistency in this important portfolio, and Ms. Kolola has significant experience and success in fostering Inuit employment, training and development."

The new department will re-focus and streamline services to ensure a more robust commitment to Inuit employment through training and career advancement, as well as a renewed dedicated to employee wellness, according to the release.

As of Dec 17, Culture and Heritage Deputy Minister Louise Flaherty will swap roles with Education Deputy Minister Pujjuut Kusugak.

Flaherty is the co-founder of Inhabit Media Inc, which through Inhabit Education produces hundreds of books and teachers guides for the Department of Education's program Inuktut Titiqqiriniq.

"Ms. Flaherty holds everything in a blind trust. Any matters pertaining to Inhabit will be dealt with by the ADM of Education, with oversight from the DM of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, so that no conflict of interest arises," stated Savikataaq's press secretary Catriona Macleod via e-mail.

Pauloosie Suvega moves from Deputy of Environment to President of Nunavut Arctic College; and Steve Pinksen is appointed Acting Deputy Minister of Environment.

"The GN is fortunate to have strong and capable leaders, and I am certain these changes will have positive effects across departments and in service delivery for Nunavummiut," stated Savikataaq.