Nunavut’s upcoming territorial government is set to include a blend of familiar faces and newcomers as several former MLAs, including the deputy premier, were defeated in the recent election. Pamela Gross, the former deputy premier from Cambridge Bay, lost to Fred Pedersen, the executive director of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, who secured over 50 percent of the votes. Incumbents Adam Arreak Lightstone in Iqaluit-Manirajak and former regular caucus chair Solomon Malliki in Aivilik also lost their seats.
The voter turnout stood at 37 percent, as reported by Elections Nunavut. Notable winners from the election include 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, and David Joanasie in South Baffin among others.
New faces in the elected members list include 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, and Gordon Kautuk in Uqqummiut.
Recounts are expected in at least three ridings due to close results. In Pangnirtung, leader Johnny Mike is only two votes ahead of Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk. In Quttiktuq, leader Steven Taqtu leads by only four votes over Philip Kalluk. Similarly, in Aggu, the incumbent Joanna Quassa holds a lead of three votes over Erasmus Ivvalu.
Polls closed at 7 p.m. across the region’s time zones, and Elections Nunavut’s website faced technical difficulties for a significant part of the evening. The election results were delayed, with only one winner declared before midnight Eastern Time.
Voter turnout in Nunavut has been declining over the years, with less than half of eligible voters participating in the 2021 election compared to 86 percent in 1999. Manitok Thompson, one of Nunavut’s early MLAs, highlighted voter apathy driven by slow progress on critical issues like high living costs and housing crises. The youth vote, comprising about half of Nunavut’s population under 25, will be crucial to monitor, especially considering the low youth voter registration in the last territorial election.
The general election saw approximately 17,000 registered voters this year, with no political parties in the consensus-style government. Following the election, the newly-elected MLAs will convene to select the Speaker, premier, and ministers in a secret-ballot election approximately two weeks later.