Commissioner of Nunavut represent the Canadian monarch. The position was created in 1999 with the creation of the new Nunavut territory. Like other territorial commissioners, he or she is appointed by the Government of Canada and represents the Canadian cabinet in the territory. "Note." Prior to April 1, 1999, Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories. See Commissioners of Northwest Territories. The role of Deputy Commissioner was added in 2005 by amending the Public Officer Act and Seals Act to be inline with the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The duties of the Commissioner is similar to that of the lieutenant governors of the
Melville Island (Northwest Territories and Nunavut) meridian and form part of the Northwest Territories. These can only be reached by land from Nunavut or boat from the Northwest Territories. The island has little or no vegetation. Where continuous vegetation occurs, it usually consists of hummocks of mosses, lichens, grasses, and sedges. The only woody species, the dwarf willow, grows as a dense twisted mat crawling along the ground. However, a diverse animal population exists: polar bear, Peary caribou, muskox, northern collared lemming, Arctic wolf, Arctic fox, Arctic hare, and ermine (stoat) are common. A 2003 sighting of a grizzly bear and grizzly tracks by an expedition