The current commissioner since January 14, 2021 is Eva Aariak who served as Premier from 2008 to 2013.

The commissioner is appointed to represent the Canadian federal government and performs many of the same duties of lieutenant governors in Canadian provinces, such as swearing in members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and approving territorial legislation.

Prior to April 1, 1999, Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories.

[8] The duties of the commissioner are similar to that of the lieutenant governors of the provinces.

However, since commissioners represent the Government of Canada rather than the Crown, they are not viceroys.