Long-time Nunavut politician Curley resigns as minister

In an unexpected move, long-time politician Tagak Curley is stepping down as a cabinet minister in Nunavut.

Curley, who is the member of the legislative assembly for Rankin Inlet North,declined requests for an interview.

However, in his resignation letter hewrites that he resigned because cabinet is considering splitting Health and Social Services into two departments.

"After learning that there is a discussion to separate the Department of Health and Social Services, I feel strongly that to continue down this path would be detrimental to the current and future work of the department, to serve Nunavummiut, and to provide effective, responsive and appropriate programs and services," Curley wrote.

Curley added that he thinks such a move would distract the government from other work, such as the Social Services Transformation Plan. That plan is the result of the Nunavut Social Services Review, with input from Nunavummiut, experts, and a report from the auditor general of Canada.

Curley does not say that he will quit as an MLA.

Last week, Curley left halfway through a meeting in which cabinet was discussing the department's potential split.

Nunavut premier Eva Aariak says she didn't see Curley's resignation coming.

"The decision was his to resign from the executive council. Ithink most members were rather surprised," she said.

Aariak shuffled cabinet positions as a result of Curley's abrupt resignation. Five ministers now have new portfolios:

• Keith Peterson is the new Minister of Health and Social Services
• Fred Schell is now in charge of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Minister responsible for Homelessness, the Minister responsible for the Worker's Safety and Compensation Board
• Daniel Shewchuk is the new justice minister, a portfolio which Peterson held prior to taking on health
• James Arreak will hold the environment portfolio
• Peter Taptuna is now the Minister responsible for Energy

The changes are effective Monday.

In a release, Aariak thanks the ministers for taking on new responsibilities as they enter what Aariak calls a critical phase of the government's mandate.

Curleyhanded in his resignation last week and he will remain in cabinet without a portfolio until the end of the month.

Curleywas also the Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister responsible for Homelessness and the Minister responsible for the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission.