2025 Nunavut general election

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2025 Nunavut general election
Flag of Nunavut.svg
  2021 October 27, 2025Next 

22 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Turnout37% (Decrease2.svg12.9%pp)

Premier before election

P.J. Akeeagok

Premier after election

TBD

The 2025 Nunavut general election was held on October 27, 2025, to return the members of the 7th Nunavut Legislature. Since the adoption of a fixed election date law in 2014, [1] general elections in Nunavut are held in the last Monday of October in the fourth calendar year following the last elections. [2] The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut was dissolved by the commissioner of Nunavut on September 22.

Contents

The election recorded a voter turnout of 37%, the lowest in territorial history. [3] [4]

Background

Unlike most legislatures in Canada, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut operates on a non-partisan consensus government model. Candidates in territorial elections run as independents rather than being nominated by political parties. The premier and executive council are then selected internally by the MLAs at the first special sitting of the new legislative session. The election will be held using single-member districts, and successful candidates will be determined through the first past the post system.

New electoral boundaries were introduced in this election. [5]

In July 2025, incumbent Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced he would not seek re-election. [6] The deadline for candidate registration was September 26, 2025. 2 seats saw their MLAs acclaimed. [7] Issues in the election included housing and the rising cost-of-living. [8]

Incumbents not standing for re-election

Member of the Legislative AssemblyElectoral DistrictDate announced
P.J. Akeeagok [6] Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu July 8, 2025
Tony Akoak [9] Gjoa Haven September 19, 2025
Joelie Kaernerk [9] Amittuq September 19, 2025
Lorne Kusugak [9] Rankin Inlet South September 19, 2025
Margaret Nakashuk [9] Pangnirtung September 19, 2025
Karen Nutarak [9] Tununiq September 19, 2025
Joe Savikataaq [9] Arviat South September 19, 2025

Candidates by district

(X) indicates the incumbent

Candidates in italics have bewn elected. Joanna Quassa, Johnny Mike, and Steven Taqtu all received a majority of less than 2 per cent over the next candidate triggering an automatic judicial recount. [10] [11] [12]

Aggu

CandidateVote%
Joanna Quassa (X)10650.7
Erasmus Ivvalu10349.3
Blank/invalid9
Total218100
Registered/turnout53540.75

Aivilik

CandidateVote%
Hannah Angootealuk 29366.3
Solomon Malliki (X)14933.7
Blank/invalid7
Total469100
Registered/turnout96348.70

Amittuq

CandidateVote%
Abraham Qammaniq 14841.1
Reena Irqittuq8022.2
Paul Haulli7420.6
Roger Beaudry5816.1
Blank/invalid1
Total361100
Registered/turnout66254.53

Arviat North-Whale Cove

CandidateVote%
John Main (X)22957
Tony Uluadluak17343
Blank/invalid3
Total405100
Registered/turnout81749.57

Arviat South

CandidateVote%
Jamie Kablutsiak 25668.1
Alana Kuksuk12031.9
Blank/invalid1
Total376100
Registered/turnout71052.96

Baker Lake

CandidateVote%
Craig Atangalaaq Simailak (X)26852.5
Simeon Mikkungwak24247.5
Blank/invalid2
Total512100
Registered/turnout105748.44

Cambridge Bay

CandidateVote%
Fred Pedersen 33055
Pamela Hakongak Gross (X)17629.3
Peter Ohokak9415.7
Blank/invalid5
Total605100
Registered/turnout104657.84

Gjoa Haven

CandidateVote%
David Porter 13236
Meghan Porter12433.8
Agoakteak Gregory Nahaglulik5113.9
David Akoak4913.4
Sonny Porter113
Blank/invalid2
Total369100
Registered/turnout69752.94

Hudson Bay

CandidateResult
Daniel Qavvik (X)Acclaimed

Iqaluit-Manirajak

CandidateVote%
Gwen Healey Akearok 24563.3
Adam Lightstone (X)14236.7
Blank/invalid12
Total399100
Registered/turnout106537.46

Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu

CandidateVote%
David Akeeagok [a] 27052.9
Tatanniq Lucie Idlout 12424.3
Jacopoosie Peter7314.3
Walter Picco438.4
Blank/invalid24
Total534100
Registered/turnout118045.25

Iqaluit-Sinaa

CandidateVote%
Janet Brewster (X)17553.8
Robin Anawak15046.2
Blank/invalid0
Total325100
Registered/turnout100032.5

Iqaluit-Tasiluk

CandidateVote%
George Hickes (X)35471.7
Malaiya Lucassie14028.3
Blank/invalid5
Total499100
Registered/turnout108845.86

Kugluktuk

CandidateVote%
Simon Kuliktana 21860.7
Stanley Anablak9325.9
Bobby Anavilok (X)4813.4
Blank/invalid2
Total361100
Registered/turnout77546.58

Netsilik

CandidateVote%
Cecile Nelvana Lyall 29446.7
Emiliano Qirngnuq 25340.2
Joseph Inagayuk Quqqiaq (X)6310
Johnny Qilluniq203.2
Mary Anaumiq Neeveacheak00
Blank/invalid1
Total633100
Registered/turnout96265.80

Pangnirtung

CandidateVote%
Johnny Mike 12537
Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk12236.1
Andrew Nakashuk9126.9
Blank/invalid8
Total346100
Registered/turnout74446.51

Quttiktuq

CandidateVote%
Steven Taqtu 11345.2
Philip Kalluk10943.6
Andrew Taqtu2811.2
Blank/invalid3
Total253100
Registered/turnout58942.95

Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet

CandidateVote%
Alexander Sammurtok (X)15652.2
Cathy Towtongie 14347.8
Blank/invalid5
Total304100
Registered/turnout78838.58

Rankin Inlet South

CandidateVote%
Annie Tattuinee 18358.8
Gerry Anawak7022.5
Tagak Curley 5818.6
Blank/invalid1
Total312100
Registered/turnout72443.09

South Baffin

CandidateResult
David Joanasie (X)Acclaimed

Tununiq

CandidateVote%
Brian Koonoo 19450.9
Verna Strickland10928.6
David Qamaniq 7820.5
Blank/invalid3
Total38448.48
Registered/turnout792

Uqqummiut

CandidateVote%
Gordon Kautuk 40275.3
Mary Killiktee (X)13224.7
Blank/invalid6
Total540100
Registered/turnout86962.14

Aftermath

Two ridings acclaimed their MLA, since only one candidate registered: Daniel Qavvik in Hudson Bay and David Joanasie in South Baffin, both incumbents.

Three ridings will face judicial recounts, [14] because the difference between the first and second-place finishers was less than 2% of the votes cast: [2] Aggu, where incumbent Joanna Quassa had an initial count of 106 votes to Erasmus Ivvalu's 103; Pangnirtung, where former MLA Johnny Mike had 125 votes to Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk's 122; and Quttiktuq, where Steven Taqtu had 113 votes to Philip Kalluk's 109.

In the election, 13 out of the 22 seats in the legislature elected new MLAs. Given that the territory operates on a consensus government system, MLAs elected on October 27 will choose the new premier, cabinet, and speaker in the first session of the 7th Assembly on November 18. [15]

Results

Reelection statistics
SeatsDid not runDefeatedReelected
Cabinet9324
Opposition13445
All MLAs22769

See also

Notes

  1. Akeeagok has been the MLA for Quttiktuq since 2017, but is switiching districts to Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu. [13]

References

  1. "Nunavut MLAs opt for fixed election dates, code of conduct" Archived 2018-02-12 at the Wayback Machine . Nunatsiaq News , February 24, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Nunavut Elections Act" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  3. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavut-s-territorial-election-campaign-begins-1.7639411
  4. Murray, Nick. "Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok survives confidence vote after effort to oust him". www.msn.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  5. https://www.elections.nu.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Future-Constituency-Boundaries-After-Sept-21-2025-v1.pdf
  6. 1 2 Akeeagok, PJ. (July 8, 2025). "A Message to the People of Nunavut" . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  7. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/candidates-2025-nunavut-election-1.7645106
  8. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6954316
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Speaker, finance minister, former premier among Nunavut MLAs who say farewell". September 21, 2025.
  10. "2025 Territorial General Election Aggu" . Retrieved October 30, 2025. A judge will conduct a judicial recount of the ballots cast in this constituency. This is required because the number of votes between the two candidates is within 2% of the total votes cast.
  11. "2025 Territorial General Election Pangnirtung" . Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  12. "2025 Territorial General Election Quttiktuq" . Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  13. "Cabinet minister David Akeeagok to switch ridings, run in Iqaluit". September 8, 2025.
  14. Wat, Samuel; Tranter, Emma (October 27, 2025). "See the latest election results in Nunavut — 3 recounts called in tight races". CBC. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  15. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6957692