Biography of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq

Ms. Aglukkaq was first elected to work for the Nunavummiut in the House of Commons in October 2008. On October 30th, 2008 she became the first Inuk to be sworn into the Federal Cabinet, as the Minister of Health.

In May 2011 after being re-elected for her second term, Ms. Aglukkaq was again sworn in as the Minister of Health, this time with an additional portfolio, the Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. In August 2012, Ms. Aglukkaq was honoured to be named the new Chair of the Arctic Council and sworn in as the Minister of the Arctic Council for Canada. In July 2013, after almost five years as Minister of Health, Ms. Aglukkaq was sworn in as the Minster of the Environment.

Prior to entering federal politics Ms. Aglukkaq served in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly as the MLA for the district of NATTILIK (communities of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak).

During her time as an MLA, Ms. Aglukkaq was elected by her peers to be part of the Executive Council. She was first given the responsibility of Finance Minister and House Leader, before becoming the Minister of Health and Social Services and the Minister for the Status of Women.

Throughout her life, Ms. Aglukkaq has enjoyed an extensive career in government. Before entering politics, Ms. Aglukkaq served in numerous roles in both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Governments, including as Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Deputy Minister for Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Deputy Minister for Human Resources, as an Assistant Deputy Minister for Human Resources and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and as the Superintendent for Education, Culture and Employment.

Whether it has been during her time involved in the federal government, the territorial government, the Cambridge Bay municipal government, where she served for six years as a Councillor, her numerous hours spent volunteering in the communities, or during her time serving on different boards, such as the Arctic College Board of Governors, the Nunavut Impact Review Board or the NWT Science Institute; Ms. Aglukkaq has always fought hard for the interests of all Nunavummiut.

Ms. Aglukkaq was raised in Thom Bay, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven. Ms. Aglukkaq is married to Robbie MacNeil and has a son Cooper.