Nunavut has a new Premier and she's from Arctic Bay! What's more, she's my daughter's daughter. I suppose I should explain that last statement, Hilary is named after the new Premier, Eva Aariak's mother – Kautaq. I'm tickled that I actually know one of Canada's Premiers, and consider her a friend. Heck I've had supper at her place.
More importantly, Eva will make an excellent First Minister, she's thoughtful, erudite, and smart. And a genuinely nice person. Kautaq was one of my all time favourite people, I miss her greatly. She'd be so proud of Eva right now, and smiling that great twinkling smile if she was still around.
I probably should have stopped by the legislature today, seeing as I am in Iqaluit for the week. I thought about it for a bit but figured the voting was all done. When I got back to the B&B I'm staying at (a very nice place but more on that later) I read the news that she had been elected.
I'm going to humour myself that I played apart in it all. When I heard she was considering the premiership I sent her an email encouraging her to go for it. I got an email back the other day after she had decided to let her name stand. As you can tell I'm quite happy that a majority of the MLAs felt the same why I do.
For those of you not familiar with the consensus style of government up here, there are no party politics in the process. Every candidate for MLA runs as an independent. After the election the first thing the MLAs do is nominate and then elect a Speaker. After that candidates are nominated for Premier and everyone (except the Speaker) votes for that position. The cabinet is chosen next (I believe six more MLAs) and they are elected. The Premier choses their portfolios.
Eva is a new MLA and defeated the incumbent Premier who served for two terms, and one or two other candidates. She is going to have a busy time ahead of her, not only learning her MLA duties, but that of the Premier and what ever portfolio she might have. I don't envy the task ahead of her, but I'm sure that she is up to it.
Congratulations Madam Premier, the title suits you.
Comments
4 responses
Thoughtful, erudite, smart AND nice. WOW! I wish her luck, she’s gonna need it. It can’t be easy steering that big of a ship in those type of waters. Icebergs abound.
Geela mentioned to me at work that Eva was originally from Arctic Bay. I probably shouldn’t say too much on the Premier race although I just might have had a big smile on my face and exclaimed a quiet “Yes” under my breath when I saw the CBC news article.
I wish Eva well.
She has many challenges, not the least of which is the often tragic disintegration of the modern Inuit family. I love the North and the people who live there.
Great blog by the way.
Yes Indigo, I don’t envy her her job, but I do think she is up to it. I wish her much luck. Hopefully I’ll get to see her and congratulate her in person while I’m down here, but I imagine she is pretty busy.
Judging by the people I spoke to today Darcy people are very happy with the choice.
Thanks Dan. Like anywhere else families have a wide range of health up here. There are a wide variety of social and economic ills up here and the governments face many challenges. I too wish Eva well as she steers that ship.