The Role of the Commissioner of Nunavut
Coat of Arms

      

      The Honourable

      Ann Meekitjuk Hanson

      Commissioner of Nunavut

 

 

 

As the Government of Canada's senior representative in Nunavut, I am the link between the government and the people. In my role as Commissioner, I am the keeper of our traditions and I will reflect the values and interests of Nunavummiut in all my activities.

The shape of our northern government has its roots in Canadian and British tradition. In our government, the Queen is the Head of the 52 Nations which make up the Commonwealth. The Queen is also separately Head of State for 16 Commonwealth countries that are independent countries. The Queen is Canada's Head of State.

The Governor General is appointed by the Queen of Canada, an the advice of the elected Prime Minister of Canada, and is Her Majesty's direct representative for Canada. This role allows the Governor General to be considered a de facto Head of State. A defacto Head of State is not a legal head of state, but acts like a head of a state in the absence of the official Head of State.

The elected Prime Minister is the Head of the Government of Canada. The Queen, and her representative -- the Governor General, traditionally follows the advice of their Prime Minister.

Each province has a Lieutenant Governor , who is appointed by the Governor General. In Canada's territories, Commissioner's are appointed by the Governor General of Canada, on the advice of the Cabinet of Canada, headed by the Prime Minister, to serve as the Government of Canada's senior representative in the territory. The Commissioner receives official instructions from the Cabinet of Canada via the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

The Nunavut Act states that the Commissioner is the chief executive officer of Nunavut. In practise, the role and responsibilities of the Commissioner have evolved to be similar as those of  a Lieutentant Governor.

Helen Maksagak was the first Commissioner of Nunavut for one year. She was the Commissioner for the Northwest Territories and she became the Commissioner for Nunavut, in 1999, for one year. Peter Irniq was Nunavut's second commissioner from April 2000 to end of March 2005. Ann Meekitjuk Hansen's appointment started in April 2005 and will go to March 31, 2010.

Upon appointment, the Commissioner is given letters of instruction from the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

To perform the work of a Commissioner, there is help in the form of:

  • Aides-de-camp and RCMP to help in special functions
  • Staff at the Office of the Commissioner
  • The Government Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Legislative Assembly.
  • The Federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
  • Other Commissioners and Lieutenant Governor's Offices
  • The Governor General's Office in Ottawa
  • Volunteers

The Commissioner acts in a symbolic role for the Territory of Nunavut. The Commissioner is given a title of 'Honourable' while in the position of Commissioner. In formal and ceremonial situations, it is expected that the Commissioner will be addressed in this way.

The role has to be performed with:

  • Dignity, to maintain respect for the institutions of government
  • Tact, to ensure matters of protocol and to ensure political neutrality
  • Selflessness, to rise above personal interest to always promote the realization of the will of the people

The Commissioner is neither the head of state nor the head of government, a role held held by the Premier of the Territory. The Legislative Assembly is responsible forthe day-to-day running of the government. MLAs are elected for a term that lasts about four years.

The Commissioner is instructed to ensure the continuity of government and to maintain democratic freedoms. To do this, the Commissioner works with the Assembly in the Territory by:

  • symbolizing that the government powers belong to the state
  • ensuring that there is always someone in charge of the territorial government
  • appointing/swearing in the first minister (Premier) and his advisors (Ministers)
  • accepting the recommendation of the first minister for the distribution of portfolios amongst the elected ministers
  • reading the Throne speech at the opening sessions of the legislative assembly
  • assenting to bills recommended by the first minister
  • signing documents such as order-in-council, commissioners warrants, statutory documents and disposition of Commissioner's Lands
  • advising and being advised by the first minister on a confidential basis

Some of the Commissioner's powers are only used very occasionally:

  • recommends to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, at the request of the first minister, a dissolution of the assembly
  • appoint (on an interim basis) a new first minister in case of death or severe illness where the existing first minister could not resign

Customary responsibilities:

  • recognizing individuals for their bravery, excellence or special skills by giving Commissioner's Awards
  • attending official functions
  • speaking at different events, visiting Elders, schools and communities

The Commissioner is encouraged to become active in the support of worthy non-political causes such as the Arts and the cultural community..