Hunter Tootoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hunter Tootoo
Hᐊᓐᑕ ᑐᑐ |
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Tootoo in 2015
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| Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard | |
| In office November 4, 2015 – May 31, 2016 |
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| Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Gail Shea |
| Succeeded by | Dominic LeBlanc |
| Member of Parliament for Nunavut |
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| In office October 19, 2015 – September 11, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Leona Aglukkaq |
| Succeeded by | Mumilaaq Qaqqaq |
| 7th Speaker of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly | |
| In office May 31, 2011 – November 15, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Okalik |
| Succeeded by | George Qulaut |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Iqaluit Centre | |
| In office February 15, 1999 – October 28, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Territory Established |
| Succeeded by | Riding Dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 18, 1963 Rankin Inlet, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut), Canada |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal New Democratic (1997-1999) |
Hunter A. Tootoo (Inuktitut: Hᐊᓐᑕ ᑐᑐ; born August 18, 1963) is a Canadian politician. He served as a Member of Parliament for Nunavut. He was an MP from 2015 to 2019.
Tootoo was first elected as a Liberal. He was appointed Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard in 2015. He later resigned from this role in 2016 for personal reasons. He then served as an independent member of Parliament. He did not run for re-election in 2019.
Before federal politics, Tootoo was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. He represented Iqaluit Centre from 1999 to 2013. He also served as the Speaker from 2011 to 2013. Tootoo is also known for his involvement in curling. He became the president of the Nunavut curling association in 2020.
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Early Life and Work
Hunter Tootoo was born in Rankin Inlet. His father, Batiste Tootoo, was Inuk. His mother, Sally Luttmer, was from Montreal. She had Lithuanian Jewish family roots.
Tootoo worked as a businessman in northern Canada. He helped start Arctic Insurance Brokers Ltd. in Iqaluit. He was also part of several boards. These included the Northwest Territories Co-op Business Development Board. He also served on the Sport North Board of Directors.
Tootoo has a long history in government work. In 1993, he was a regional coordinator for the town of Arviat. He became an administration officer for the NWT Department of Recreation and Tourism in 1995. Later that year, he worked for the NWT Department of Finance. In 1997, he became assistant director of the NWT Housing Corporation.
Political Career
Hunter Tootoo started his political journey in Rankin Inlet. He was a member of the Hamlet Council there. In 1997, he ran for the Canadian House of Commons. He was a candidate for the New Democratic Party in Nunavut. He finished third in that election.
Territorial Politics
Nunavut became its own territory in 1999. Tootoo ran in the territory's first general election. He was elected easily in Iqaluit Centre. He won again in the 2004 and 2008 elections.
In the Nunavut legislature, he held important roles. He was a minister for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. He also oversaw homelessness programs. He was in charge of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
The government of Nunavut works differently. Members are elected as independents. They do not belong to political parties. Tootoo was often seen as a leader for those not in the cabinet.
Federal Politics
On July 27, 2015, Tootoo was chosen as the Liberal candidate. He ran for the Nunavut federal election. He won the election on October 19, 2015. He defeated the current Conservative minister, Leona Aglukkaq.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
On November 4, 2015, Tootoo became a cabinet minister. He was appointed Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. He was the first Fisheries Minister from Northern Canada.
He resigned from the cabinet on May 31, 2016. He took a leave from Parliament for personal reasons. His role was then filled by Dominic LeBlanc. Tootoo also left the Liberal group in Parliament.
As an Independent Member of Parliament
By July 25, 2016, Tootoo returned to his duties as an MP. He continued to serve the people of Nunavut. He decided not to seek re-election in the 2019 federal election. He stated he would be leaving politics.
Post-Political Career
In November 2020, Tootoo became the president of the Nunavut Curling Association. His term began during a challenging time. The COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut caused difficulties for curling. Rinks were closed during important competitions.
Tootoo has also played curling himself. He was the second for the Nunavut curling team. He played in the 2021 and 2024 Canadian Curling Club Championships. At 61, he was one of the older players in the 2024 competition.
Personal Life
Hunter Tootoo is related to other notable people. He is the cousin of hockey player Jordin Tootoo. He is also the nephew of Manitoba politician George Hickes. Tootoo's mother has Jewish heritage from Montreal.
Tootoo is a very keen curler. He has played for the Nunavut team many times. He competed in the Canadian Curling Club Championships in 2013, 2019, 2021, and 2024. In 2021, he was part of the Wade Kingdon team. They played in the Nunavut Brier Playdowns.
