Nunavut's Aglukkaq named federal health minister

Conservative Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq was sworn in as health minister on Thursday, more than two weeks after she toppled the Liberals in the federal election.

Aglukkaq, who was Nunavut's health and social services minister before launching her federal bid for the Conservatives in September, was sworn in at a ceremony Thursday morning at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

"The fact that she was health minister in the jurisdictions is, seems to us, very important, because she's aware of our problems," Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Robert Ouellet told CBC News in an interview.

"She's aware of the problem of a shortage of doctors … [and a] lack of resources. So we feel that it's a good move."

Aglukkaq becomes the first Inuk to hold a senior cabinet position, although she is not the first Inuk to be in cabinet altogether.

From 1993 to 1996, Nunatsiaq Liberal MP Jack Anawak served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of Indian affairs and northern development.

Anawak's successor, four-term Liberal MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell, was parliamentary secretary to the minister of natural resources in 2003.

Aglukkaq won Nunavut in the Oct. 14 federal election, narrowly defeating Kirt Ejesiak and ending 20 years of Liberal representation in Canada's largest and most northerly riding.

A former Nunavut civil servant from Gjoa Haven, Aglukkaq was elected to the territory's legislative assembly as MLA for Nattilik in 2004. She was named the territory's finance minister and house leader, then moved to health and social services. She also served as the minister responsible for the status of women.

She resigned from Nunavut's cabinet on Sept. 10 to run for the federal Conservatives. Touted as one of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's star candidates, Aglukkaq defeated Ejesiak by 447 votes, with 35 per cent of the popular vote.

Many surprised by leap

Many political observers were surprised by Aglukkaq's leap to the federal stage, given that she was previously health minister in a remote territory of 29,500. Ouellet, however, said her experience does count.

"We had ministers previously that were not doctors, that were not in the health-care system previously, and it worked," he said.

"She had some past experience, and I think that it will be helpful."

In the Northwest Territories, NDP MP Dennis Bevington said he hopes Aglukkaq will emphasize some northern-specific health issues in Parliament.

"On getting more money into the territories, we may have a health minister that will be able to point that out in cabinet," Bevington said.

"We need to increase the number of professionals that are available to work in northern or remote communities. As well, we have so many health issues that are tied to social issues, so a minister in the cabinet from the North may be very useful."