Nunavut’s upcoming territorial government is set to feature a blend of familiar and fresh faces, as several former MLAs, including the deputy premier, were defeated in the recent election. Pamela Gross, the ex-deputy premier from Cambridge Bay, lost her seat to Fred Pedersen, the executive director of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, who secured over half of the votes. Incumbents Adam Arreak Lightstone in Iqaluit-Manirajak and former regular caucus chair Solomon Malliki in Aivilik also faced defeat.
The voter turnout stood at 37%, as reported by Elections Nunavut. The following individuals were elected on election day:
**Familiar faces:**
– Craig Simailak in Baker Lake
– John Main in Arviat-North Whale Cove
– Daniel Qavvik in Hudson Bay
– David Akeeagok in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu
– Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster in Iqaluit-Sinaa
– George Hickes in Iqaluit-Tasiluk
– Alexander Sammurtok in Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet
– David Joanasie in South Baffin
**New faces:**
– Hannah Angootealuk in Avilik
– Abraham Qammaniq in Ammituq
– Jamie Kablutsiak in Arviat South
– Fred Pedersen in Cambridge Bay
– David Porter in Gjoa Haven
– Gwen Healey Akearok in Iqaluit-Manirajak
– Simon Kuliktana in Kugluktuk
– Cecile Nelvana Lyall in Netsilik
– Annie Tattuinee in Rankin Inlet South
– Brian Koonoo in Tununiq
– Gordon Kautuk in Uqqummiut
Recounts are set for at least three ridings due to very narrow margins in the results:
– Pangnirtung, where Johnny Mike leads by only two votes over Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk
– Quttiktuq, where Steven Taqtu leads Philip Kalluk by a mere four votes
– Aggu, where Joanna Quassa is ahead of Erasmus Ivvalu by just three votes
Polls closed at 7 p.m. across the region’s three time zones. The Elections Nunavut website experienced technical difficulties for most of the evening. Results were delayed, with only one winner announced before midnight, although more results followed shortly after.
In a statement to CBC News, Kiran Situt, the Chief Electoral Officer of Elections Nunavut, emphasized the organization’s meticulous approach to result verification. Due to the late arrival of special ballots on Canadian North, all results were promised to be published before the end of the night.
Notably, two constituencies had uncontested races, including former government house leader David Joanasie. The issue of declining voter turnout was highlighted, with less than half of eligible voters participating in the 2021 election, a significant drop from the 86% turnout in 1999. Manitok Thompson, one of Nunavut’s early MLAs, attributed voter apathy to the government’s perceived slow progress on critical matters like high living costs and housing shortages.
The youth vote is anticipated to be pivotal, as nearly half of Nunavut’s population is under 25 years old, despite the youth having the lowest voter registration in the previous territorial election. Approximately 17,000 voters were registered for this year’s general election, with candidates running as independents due to the consensus-style government in Nunavut.
Following the general election, cabinet members will be selected about two weeks later. Newly-elected MLAs will convene to choose the Speaker, premier, and ministers through a secret-ballot process.
