Newly-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo (pictured) as the new minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
According to Trudeau’s website, Tootoo was born in Rankin Inlet, and has served in major public positions since 1999, when he was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly for Iqaluit Center. He also served as the assembly’s speaker until 2013.
“Hunter has a deep understanding of the challenges facing Nunavut, having held numerous Cabinet positions, including Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Homelessness, the Qulliq Energy Corporation, and Minister of Education,” according to the site.
According to CBC News, Tootoo’s home of Nunavut holds a third of total fishing quotas east of Baffin Island, and the territory has argued in the past that it deserves a greater share.
