Wanted: new languages commissioner for Nunavut

Nunavut is searching for a new languages commissioner after the former commissioner, citing health reasons,resigned last monthone of several recent exits that have left the officeoperating at half capacityand forced another office to take over some ofits duties.

The languages commissioner position, which is an independent arm of the legislative assembly,was posted Monday, a week afterSandra Inutiq's resignation was announced in thelegislature.

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"The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut's Management and Services Board invites applications for the unique and challenging position of Languages Commissioner of Nunavut," reads the ad.

"Candidates must demonstrate fluency in the Inuit Language and at least one other of Nunavut's official languages."

The position comes with a starting salary of $119,000.

3 other resignations

Inutiqwas appointed languages commissioner in 2013 and had one year left on her term before resigning.Her last day in office was June 3.

Hers was not the only recent resignation from the office.

Three others have resigned to seek other work, according to Nunavut's clerk, including tworesearchofficers and the director of strategicplanning and policy, the most senior position in the office.

"Because it's vacant, it has resulted in my office now taking over some of the financial and administration of the office from a signatory point of view," said John Quirke, clerk for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.

"Other than that it's going to be business as usual and as we come up to the summer months, we don't foresee anything coming down the tube that will cause us to do something differently."

The three resignations havecutanoffice of six in half.Quirke saidthe resignations were unrelated toInutiq'sdeparture.

"The timing is just coincidental," he said.

Longer term

The new languages commissioner will serve a five-year term, consistent with other independent offices like the territory's privacy commissioner and child and youth representative. Previously the languages commissioner position had been a four year term.

Applicants have until Aug. 5 to apply.

Quirke said the new languages commissioner could be appointed in October during the fall sitting of the legislature.