Denny Rodgers named N.W.T. health minister

Denny Rodgers, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, is the Northwest Territories’ new minister of health and social services, Premier R.J. Simpson announced on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Rodgers was acclaimed to cabinet by the legislative assembly on Tuesday. The health portfolio, the territorial government’s largest department, had been vacant since former minister Lesa Semmler resigned from cabinet and as MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes in mid-September, CBC North and Cabin Radio reported.

In a statement, Simpson said Rodgers brings “valuable experience” to the file. “I’m confident he will approach this work with a strong focus on the needs of residents, and will see through the good work already underway,” the premier said.

Rodgers said he was honoured by the appointment. “Health and Social Services affects every northerner, every family and every community, and I take on this responsibility with humility and determination,” he said in a statement.

Rodgers is a former mayor of Inuvik who has worked at the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and the Inuvik Housing Authority, and has served as public administrator for Aurora College, Cabin Radio reported. The premier was not required to give him the health file, since he can assign any portfolio to any minister.

Lucy Kuptana had run the department on an interim basis since Semmler left. She keeps her existing roles as minister responsible for Housing N.W.T. and for the status of women. Simpson thanked her for “providing prudent oversight” of the department.

Rodgers takes over as the department faces scrutiny. This week auditors reported that safety inspections at N.W.T. daycares were unreliable and pressed Child and Family Services to assess its own needs, Cabin Radio and CBC North reported.

A byelection to fill Semmler’s former Inuvik Twin Lakes seat is set for Nov. 24.

Elsewhere in the North this week, the Yukon government announced that the shut Eagle gold mine will be sold for $140 million. For more territorial news, see our North coverage.

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