Paul Okalik
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| Paul Okalik ᐹᓪ ᐅᑲᓕᖅ |
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 The Hon. Paul Okalik |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office April 1, 1999 |
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| Born | May 26, 1964 Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories |
| Political party | Independent |
Paul Okalik (Inuktitut syllabics: ᐹᓪ ᐅᑲᓕᖅ[1], pronounced [ˈukælɪk]), MLA is the first and current Premier of the Canadian territory of Nunavut.
Okalik was born on May 26, 1964, in Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). In the early 1980s, he worked for the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, as a deputy negotiator on the land claim which eventually created Nunavut. That claim, the largest in Canadian history, was signed in 1993. Okalik also served as a representative on the Nunavut Implementation Panel, the body which oversees and provides direction on the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
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[edit] Early life
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science at Carleton University in Ottawa, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Ottawa. In 1999 he was called to the Bar, becoming the first Inuit lawyer in NWT/Nunavut history.
[edit] Political life
On February 15, 1999, Okalik was elected to represent Iqaluit West in the first Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. Nunavut's government runs on a consensus model, with the assembly choosing the premier from among its elected members, and on March 5, Okalik was voted the first Premier of Nunavut.
He stood for reelection in the 2004 general election, and was returned to the Legislative Assembly. On March 5, 2004, the Legislative Assembly again selected him premier over challenger Tagak Curley, making Okalik the first territorial premier in Canadian history to serve two consecutive terms. As of 2007, Okalik is currently the longest-serving premier in Canada.[2]
One of Okalik's primary goals as premier of Nunavut is to make the territory economically self-sufficient, as currently 90% of their budget comes from the federal government. Despite this, Okalik continues to have great hopes in the territory and believes that Nunavut has great economic potential. He cites resources such as diamonds, and also Inuit art and tourism as potential sources of income for the territory.[3][4]
[edit] Controversy
During the last week of June 2007, Okalik made derogatory comments about Lynda Gunn, CEO of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities. The remarks, which the Premier later apologised for, were made to Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik while they were attending a dinner in Goose Bay during the Expo Labrador trade conference.[5]
Although Okalik apologised, both publicly and in private, Gunn refused to accept it and called on the Premier to resign, and both Sheutiapik and Gunn wrote letters of condemnation.[6] On 5 July Tagak Curley, MLA for Rankin Inlet North called on the Premier to resign. Curley, who had challenged Okalik for the Premiership, also asked that Peter Kilabuk recall the Legislative Assembly so they could deal with the matter.[7]
On September 17, 2007, all MLAs present at a meeting of the Legislative Assembly voted to censure Okalik. Okalik himself abstained from voting, but asked his fellow MLAs to censure him as a formal recognition of his mistake. However, Tagak Curley has continued to insist that Okalik resign, as "the public trust needed, and the confidence needed from the public about this government and this assembly" has not been regained since his comments.[8]
[edit] Personal life
On June 18, 2005, Okalik received from Carleton University an honorary doctor of laws degree. Okalik has three children, Shasta, Jordan and Béatrice.[4]
His name, under the older spelling system, entirely in English would be Paul Rabbit, however in the newer spelling it would be rendered ukaliq.[9][10]
[edit] References
- ^ Tunngasugitti – welcome to Nunavut
- ^ Gary Doer's biography
- ^ Premier's Message
- ^ a b Okalik biography
- ^ Nunavut premier taken to task over foul language
- ^ CEO refuses Nunavut premier's apology for 'verbal attack'
- ^ Nunavut MLA calls for premier's resignation over comments
- ^ Nunavut MLA presses for premier's resignation after censure
- ^ ukaliq. Asuilaak Living Dictionary. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ Ohokak, G.; M. Kadlun, B. Harnum. Inuinnaqtun-English Dictionary. Kitikmeot Heritage Society.
[edit] External links
- Okalik at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Government of Nunavut Bio
- Paul Okalik at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
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