Premier Taptuna appoints key positions
News Release
For Immediate Release
Premier Taptuna appoints key positions
IQALUIT, Nunavut (November 25, 2013) - Premier Peter Taptuna today announced the appointment of Mr. Alain Barriault as Principal Secretary effective November 25, 2013 and David Akeeagok as Cabinet Secretary, effective December 16, 2013.
"Mr. Barriault brings a great deal of experience to the Office of the Premier," said Premier Taptuna. "I am very pleased that he has agreed to join our team and is willing to use his skills and knowledge to advance the work of this government."
Mr. Barriault has been the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation for the past 4 years. He also brings with him government experience from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
"Mr. Akeeagok has 9 years experience in the public service as a deputy minister in several assignments and will provide great leadership to the Cabinet process and the deputy ministers. His commitment to the public service has prepared him well for this leadership role." said Premier Taptuna. "I would like to thank Daniel Vandermeulen for his contribution to Nunavut as president of Arctic College and as deputy minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. I wish him the best in his future endeavors."
David Akeeagok is the Government of Nunavut negotiator for Devolution and for the past two years has also been deputy minister of Environment.
"I look forward to working with both Mr. Barriault and Mr. Akeeagok in moving the priorities of this government forward," said Premier Taptuna.
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Attached: Profiles
For more information, contact:
Teresa Hughes
Executive Assistant
Office of the Premier
(867) 975-5052
Profiles:
Alain Barriault
Alain Barriault was appointed as President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation in December 2009.
Early in his career, Alain worked in mining and power generation, before embarking on a twenty-five year career in housing. He has held a number of positions with the Governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
He moved to the Northwest Territories in 1987, where he was employed with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation’s Kivalliq and Baffin Regional Offices, the Office of the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut, and the Nunavut Department of Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services. In 1999, Alain took on a new role with the Nova Scotia Department of Housing & Municipal Affairs, and in 2007 accepted a secondment to the Nunavut Housing Corporation as Senior Advisor to the Vice-President of Operations.
Mr. Barriault, originally from Labrador, completed his Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of New Brunswick and has a Masters of Project Management from St. Mary’s University. He is a registered Professional Engineer and a Project Management Professional.
David Akeeagok
David Akeeagok is the Government of Nunavut’s Chief Negotiator for devolution and Deputy Minister of the Department of Environment.
David was Chief Negotiator for the Government of Nunavut on the Implementation Contract for the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and was part of the Inuit negotiating team for the umbrella National Parks IIBA that was approved by Inuit and Federal Government. He has a proven history of success in fostering teamwork and collaboration, both within the Government of Nunavut and with external partners.
He believes firmly in working from a foundation of Inuit knowledge and culture and in applying Inuit knowledge and values to shed light on current issues and challenges. He believes in preserving and promoting the unique skills and knowledge that have enabled Inuit to sustainably live off the land and Nunavut’s natural resources for generations.
In his role as Deputy Minister, he is responsible for ensuring the protection, promotion and sustainable use of natural resources in Nunavut through the management of the environment, wildlife, fisheries and parks. The Department delivers a wide range of regulatory and program functions, and implements specific statutory and legal obligations of the GN, including a number of commitments under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA).
David’s career has included various key positions in the territorial government such as Deputy Minister of Community and Government Services, Deputy Minister of Culture, Language Elders and Youth, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Department of Finance and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
David and his wife, Carol, have six children: As an avid hunter and fisherman, he is an adamant believer in protecting the environment, water and wildlife so that future generations may also benefit from and enjoy them. David was raised in Grise Fiord but he is presently living in Iqaluit with his family.