| The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq PC, MP |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office November 12, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Nancy Karetak-Lindell |
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| In office 2004 – 10 September 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Uriash Puqiqnak |
| Succeeded by | Enuk Pauloosie |
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| Born | June 28, 1967 Inuvik, Northwest Territories |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Residence | Gjoa Haven, Nunavut |
| Portfolio | Minister of Health |
Leona Aglukkaq, PC,
Aglukkaq was named the Minister of Health on October 30, 2008,[2] and is the first Inuk in Canadian history to be appointed to the Cabinet of Canada.[3] Jack Anawak and Nancy Karetak-Lindell previously held parliamentary secretary positions, which are not part of the cabinet itself.
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Life and career
Aglukkaq was born in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and raised in Thom Bay, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven. She is married to Robbie MacNeil and has a son, Cooper.[4]
Prior to running as an MP she was an MLA in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, representing the electoral district of Nattilik. First elected in the 2004 Nunavut election, she held the seat until stepping down on September 10, 2008 to run in the federal election. She was the Minister of Health and Social Services and the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in the Executive Council of Nunavut. Before becoming an MLA, Aglukkaq was a long time employee of the Government of Nunavut and served on the Hamlet Council of Cambridge Bay.
Minister of Health
Aglukkaq, along with two other newly elected women MPs with little experience in federal politics, were appointed to cabinet by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. This was seen by some as a move to put a more feminine image on the cabinet.[5] As the MP for Nunavut, some also felt that Aglukkaq's presence at the cabinet table would improve the health care standards in Northern Canada.[6]
Swine flu outbreak controversy and media hype
A lot of public attention was focused on Aglukkaq during the 2009 swine flu outbreak where hundreds of Canadians were infected with the mild H1N1 virus. As a result of her calm and cool response to the crisis, she was lauded by various people. Even though she is considered a "rookie" minister, she was praised by opposition members for her mature and competent handling of the portfolio. The Liberal health critic, for example, said that Aglukkaq was doing a "terrific job," and especially liked how the minister phoned all opposition critics to build consensus on the swine flu issue.[7][8]
However, her handling of the file has recently come under criticism since Health Canada officials sent two dozen body bags that are normally sent to Hospitals, to a Manitoba First Nations, not equipped with their demand to have health care related materials delivered to them, along with other flu supplies such as hand soap. The move was interpreted by some to mean the government wasn't being upfront with First Nations about the danger they face from H1N1, and to others it was seen as deeply insensitive, if not offensive.
Since the outbreak, Minister Aglukkaq has appeared on various television shows, including CBC's Power and Politics with Evan Solomon, underlining the government's immunization plan.
References
- ^ Canada Votes 2008: Electoral results for Nunavut, cbc.ca, October 14, 2008.
- ^ Harper shuffles cabinet to create 'right team for these times', cbc.ca, October 30, 2008.
- ^ Aglukkaq is first Inuit cabinet minister, Canadian Press, October 30, 2008.
- ^ http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/minist/index-eng.php
- ^ PM puts feminine face on cabinet, Toronto Star, October 31, 2008.
- ^ Inuit welcome Aglukkaq as federal health minister, cbc.ca, October 31, 2008.
- ^ Rookie health minister stays cool in swine flu spotlight, ctv.ca, April 27, 2009.
- ^ The week everyone loved Leona, Macleans.ca, April 2009.
External links
- Leona Aglukkaq at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
- Health Canada - Minister of Health
- Parliament of Canada biography
- Profile in The Globe and Mail
| 28th Ministry - Government of Stephen Harper | ||
| Cabinet Posts (1) | ||
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| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Tony Clement | Minister of Health from 30-Oct-2008 |
incumbent |
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