Leona Aglukkaq

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Leona Aglukkaq

| native_name = ᓕᐅᓇ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ

| native_name_lang = iu

| honorific-suffix = {{postnom|country=CAN|size=100|PC}}

| image = Minister Leona Aglukkaq.jpg

| imagesize =

| small caption =

| office1 = Minister of the Environment

| primeminister1 = Stephen Harper

| term_start1 = July 15, 2013

| term_end1 = November 4, 2015

| predecessor1 = Peter Kent

| successor1 = Catherine McKenna

| office2 = Minister of Health

| primeminister2 = Stephen Harper

| term_start2 = October 30, 2008

| term_end2 = July 15, 2013

| predecessor2 = Tony Clement

| successor2 = Rona Ambrose

| riding3 = Nunavut

| parliament3 = Canadian

| term_start3 = October 14, 2008

| term_end3 = October 19, 2015

| predecessor3 = Nancy Karetak-Lindell

| successor3 = Hunter Tootoo

| assembly4 = Nunavut Legislative

| constituency_AM4 = Nattilik

| term_start4 = February 16, 2004

| term_end4 = September 10, 2008

| predecessor4 = Uriash Puqiqnak

| successor4 = Enuk Pauloosie

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|6|28}}

| birth_place = Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Conservative

| residence =

| occupation =

| footnotes =

| spouse = Robbie MacNeil

| children = Cooper

}}

Leona Aglukkaq {{postnom|country=CAN|PC}} (Inuktitut syllabics: ᓕᐅᓇ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ; born June 28, 1967) is a Canadian politician. She was a member of the non-partisan Legislative Assembly of Nunavut representing the riding of Nattilik from 2004 until stepping down in 2008; then was a Conservative Member of Parliament representing the riding of Nunavut after winning the seat in the 2008 federal election. She was the first Conservative to win the seat, and only the second centre-right candidate ever to win it.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news2/canadavotes/riding/308/|title=Canada Votes 2008: Electoral results for Nunavut|publisher=CBC News|date=October 14, 2008|access-date=2015-10-05}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/change-is-long-overdue-aglukkaq-paints-nunavut-tory-blue-1.769391|title='Change is long overdue': Aglukkaq paints Nunavut Tory blue|publisher=CBC News|date=October 15, 2008|access-date=2015-10-05}} Leona Aglukkaq is the first Inuk woman to serve in cabinet.{{cite web |last1=Aglukkaq |first1=Leona |title=The Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P. |url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=8324 |website=Parliament of Canada |publisher=Parliament of Canada |access-date=28 August 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Algukkaq |first1=Leona |title=As an Inuk woman, this is hurtful and perpetuates stereotypes that Indigenous women spend our whole lives fighting. @JustinTrudeau - this candidate should have no place in a party that is truly feminist or claims to hold the relationship with Indigenous people above all else. |url=https://twitter.com/leonaaglukkaq/status/1180633049005998080 |website=Twitter |publisher=@leonaaglukkaq |access-date=28 August 2020}} She remained an MP until she was defeated in the 2015 federal election by Liberal candidate Hunter Tootoo.{{cite news|last1=Zerehi|first1=Sima S.|title=Hunter Tootoo celebrates Liberal win in Nunavut|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/results-in-nunavut-election-2015-1.3276553|access-date=23 November 2015|work=CBC News North|date=17 October 2015}} Aglukkaq unsuccessfully contested the 2019 federal election.{{cite news |title=Nunavut's former Conservative MP to run in fall election |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/nunavuts-former-conservative-mp-to-run-in-fall-election/ |access-date=12 April 2019 |work=Nunatsiaq News |publisher=Nortext Publishing Corporation |date=12 April 2019 |location=Iqaluit, NU}}

Life

Aglukkaq was born in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and raised in Thom Bay, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven (formerly in the Northwest Territories, the latter two are now in Nunavut). She is married to Robbie MacNeil and has a son, Cooper.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/rookie-health-minister-fulfils-her-dream---and-then-some/article1064769/|title=Rookie Health Minister fulfils her dream – and then some|work=The Globe and Mail|date=October 30, 2008|access-date=2015-10-05}}

Prior to running as an MP, Aglukkaq served on the Hamlet Council of Cambridge Bay. She was also a Government of Nunavut public servant, working for the Office of the Clerk of the Nunavut Legislature, and as the Deputy Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Information regarding Aglukkaq's post-secondary education has never been made public.{{cite web|first=Crawford|last=Kilian|url=https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/12/13/Canadian-Conservatives-Education/|title=Can't Call Canada's Conservatives Overeducated|work=The Tyee|date=December 13, 2012|access-date=2015-10-05}}{{Contains special characters|Canadian}}

Since 2021, she's been on the Board of Directors at Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.{{cite web | url=https://www.agnicoeagle.com/English/about-agnico/default.aspx#boardofdirectors | title=Agnico Eagle Mines Limited - About Agnico }}

Political career

=Territorial politics=

File:Secretary Kerry and Arctic Council Chairman Leona Aglukkaq wave to people in her hometown of Iqaluit, Canada.jpg John Kerry wave to people in her hometown of Iqaluit]]

First elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut representing the electoral district of Nattilik 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.

=Federal politics=

==Minister of Health==

Aglukkaq was named the Minister of Health on October 30, 2008,{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/harper-shuffles-cabinet-to-create-right-team-for-these-times-1.706956|title=Harper shuffles cabinet to create 'right team for these times'|publisher=CBC News|date=October 30, 2008|access-date=October 5, 2015}} and is the first Inuk in Canadian history to be appointed to the Cabinet of Canada.{{cite news |title=Nunavut's Aglukkaq named federal health minister |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavut-s-aglukkaq-named-federal-health-minister-1.695400 |access-date=May 1, 2020 |publisher=CBC News North |date=October 30, 2008}} Jack Anawak and Nancy Karetak-Lindell previously held parliamentary secretary positions, which are not part of the cabinet itself.

Considerable public attention was focused on Aglukkaq during the 2009 swine flu pandemic where hundreds of Canadians were infected with the H1N1 virus. The Liberal health critic 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/rookie-health-minister-stays-cool-in-swine-flu-spotlight-1.393327|title=Rookie health minister stays cool in swine flu spotlight|publisher=CTV News|date=April 27, 2009|access-date=October 5, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/the-week-everyone-loved-leona/|title=The week everyone loved Leona|work=Macleans|date=May 1, 2009|access-date=October 5, 2015}}

Health Canada officials sent two dozen body bags, normally sent to hospitals, to a Manitoba First Nation. The move was criticized by Aglukkaq, the Liberal and New Democratic opposition parties in Parliament, and First Nations leaders.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/health-minister-orders-probe-over-flu-body-bags-1.790348|title=Health minister orders probe over flu body bags|publisher=CBC News|date=September 17, 2009|access-date=July 7, 2016}} An investigation ordered by Aglukkaq found "no evidence of ill will or deliberate calculation," though First Nations representatives in Manitoba criticized the inquiry's report for downplaying the incident.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/body-bag-probe-found-no-ill-will-aglukkaq-1.818672|title=Body bag probe found no 'ill will': Aglukkaq|publisher=CBC News|date=October 7, 2009|access-date=July 7, 2016}}

Following the outbreak, Aglukkaq appeared on various television shows, including CBC News Network's Power and Politics with Evan Solomon, underlining the government's immunization plan.

In 2009, the World Health Organization called for the elimination of artificial trans fats from the world food supply. Surveys at the time indicated that 90% of Canadian adults and children still exceeded the recommended daily limits on trans fats. A Health Canada analysis suggested a ban could prevent 12,000 heart attacks over 20 years, saving the health care system $9 billion. Internal documents showed Health Canada prepared to finally announce a full ban on trans fats, drafting the regulations and a press release, until the office of health minister Aglukkaq scrapped those plans. She later acknowledged the rules would be a burden on the food industry.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Aglukkaq was criticised by public health officials for refusing to sign the Vienna Declaration on drug policy reform, which deemed "the evidence that law enforcement has failed to prevent the availability of illegal drugs [...] unambiguous," and called for a "science-based approach" based on harm reduction strategies such as needle exchange programs and supervised injection sites, because the Declaration was in conflict with the Conservative government's long-established prohibition-centered approach.{{cite web|last1=Galloway|first1=Gloria|last2=Picard|first2=Andre|author-link=André Picard (journalist)|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-aglukkaq-singled-out-for-stinging-rebuke-at-aids-conference/article1387627/|title=Harper, Aglukkaq singled out for stinging rebuke at AIDS conference|work=The Globe and Mail|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=October 5, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/ottawa-s-hiv-aids-funding-disappoints-some-1.889886|title=Ottawa's HIV/AIDS funding disappoints some|publisher=CBC News|date=July 20, 2010|access-date=July 7, 2016}}

==Re-election and continued incumbency==

Aglukkaq was reelected in 2011 with nearly 50 percent of the vote, defeating a field of challengers which included former Premier of Nunavut Paul Okalik, who ran as the Liberal nominee.{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/FederalRidingsHistory/hfer.asp?Include=Y&Language=E&rid=1236&Search=Det|title=History of Federal Ridings since 1867 (Nunavut)|publisher=Parliament of Canada|access-date=2015-10-05}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/030511aglukkaq_re-elected_in_nunavut_as_tories_sweep_to_majority_government/|title=Aglukkaq re-elected in Nunavut as Tories sweep to majority government|publisher=Nunatsiaq Online|date=May 2, 2011|access-date=2023-12-30|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506004139/http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/030511aglukkaq_re-elected_in_nunavut_as_tories_sweep_to_majority_government/|archivedate=May 6, 2011}} She was the first centre-right MP in the history of the riding to win a second term.

On August 23, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Aglukkaq would serve as chair of the Arctic Council when Canada assumed the Chairmanship from Sweden in May 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674pm_harper_nunavut_mp_aglukkaq_will_chair_the_arctic_council|title=PM Harper: Nunavut MP Aglukkaq will chair the Arctic Council|publisher=Nunatsiaq Online|date=August 23, 2012|access-date=2023-12-30|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918205332/http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674pm_harper_nunavut_mp_aglukkaq_will_chair_the_arctic_council/|archivedate=September 18, 2012}}

Aglukkaq gave no indication of support for the nationwide Idle No More protests in 2012/13, and called on Chief Theresa Spence to give up her hunger strike, abandon her request to meet with the Prime Minister and the Governor General of Canada, and instead speak to Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan.{{cite news|last=Levitz|first=Stephanie|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/chief-on-hunger-strike-should-give-up-and-meet-aboriginal-affairs-minister-aglukkaq-says/article6769253/|title=Chief on hunger strike should give up and meet Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Aglukkaq says|work=The Globe and Mail|date=December 28, 2012|access-date=2015-10-05}}

==Minister of Environment==

On July 15, 2013, Aglukkaq was named Minister of the Environment,{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/leona-aglukkaq-named-new-environment-minister-1.1403563|title=Leona Aglukkaq named new environment minister|publisher=CBC News|date=July 15, 2013|access-date=2015-10-05}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-steps-up-efforts-to-battle-climate-change/article13235015/|title=Aglukkaq takes environment post as Ottawa seeks to win over First Nations, U.S.|work=The Globe and Mail|date=July 15, 2013|access-date=October 5, 2015}} which includes responsibility for Parks Canada, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Environment Canada.{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/briefing/portfolio-mandate-minister-environment.html |title=Portfolio and mandate of the Minister of the Environment |date=16 March 2016 |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=May 1, 2020}}

In December 2014, Aglukkaq apologized for reading a newspaper while opposition parties asked the government about high food prices in the North during Question Period.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/leona-aglukkaq-admits-reading-newspaper-was-a-bad-idea-during-question-period-1.2859631|title=Leona Aglukkaq admits reading newspaper was a 'bad idea' during question period|publisher=CBC News|date=December 5, 2015|access-date=2015-10-05}} During the 2015 Canadian federal election, Paul Okalik, Nunavut's Health and Justice Minister expressed his discontent with Aglukkaq's actions by reading a newspaper whenever Aglukkaq spoke at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation election forum in Iqaluit.{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/audience-steals-the-show-at-cbc-s-federal-election-forum-in-iqaluit-1.3269863 | title=Audience steals the show at CBC's federal election forum in Iqaluit | publisher=CBC News | date=October 14, 2015 | access-date=October 15, 2015 | author=Sponagle, Jane}}

In the election, Aglukkaq lost almost half of her vote share from 2011 (even allowing for a turnout nearly double that of the previous election) and was pushed into third place behind Liberal candidate and former Legislative Assembly speaker Hunter Tootoo and NDP candidate and former MP Jack Anawak. It was one of the larger defeats suffered by a member of Harper's cabinet.

Aglukkaq ran again for the Conservatives in the 2019 Canadian federal election, and again came in third. The election was won by NDP candidate Mumilaaq Qaqqaq.

Electoral history

=Federal=

=Territorial=

class="wikitable"

|colspan=4 align=center|2004 Nunavut general election: Nattilik

{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.nu.ca/sites/default/files/documents/general-election-19-en.pdf |title=2004 General Election Official Results |page=4 |publisher=Elections Nunavut |access-date=May 1, 2020}}

!Name

!Vote

|Leona Aglukkaq

|305

|42.84%

|David Irqiut

|203

|28.51%

|Anthony Anguttitauruq

|130

|18.26%

|Simon Qingnaqtuq

|30

|4.21%

|Ruediger H. J. Rasch

|28

|3.93%

|Sonny Porter

|11

|1.55%

|Tom Akoak

|0.70%

colspan=2|Total Valid Ballots

|712

|100%

colspan=2 align=center|Voter Turnout 107.04%

|colspan=2 align=center|Rejected Ballots 3

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20120807002353/http://www.leonaaglukkaq.ca/leona-aglukkaq Leona Aglukkaq, MP]
{{Canadian Parliament links| parliament = 170884 | parlinfo = 8324 | openparl = leona-aglukkaq}}

{{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=28}}

{{ministry box cabinet posts

| post3 = Minister of the Environment

| post3years = from 15-Jul-2013

| post3note = to 4-Nov-2015

| post3preceded = Peter Kent

| post3followed = Catherine McKenna

| post2 = Minister of Health

| post2years = from 30-Oct-2008

| post2note = to 15-Jul-2013

| post2preceded = Tony Clement

| post2followed = Rona Ambrose