Nunavut general election, 2017

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Nunavut general election, 2017
Flag of Nunavut.svg
  2013 October 30, 2017Next 

22 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Turnout 63.3% [1] (Decrease2.svg7.0pp)


Nunavut general election, 2017 results by riding.svg
Popular vote by riding. As Nunavut elections are on a non-partisan basis, all candidate run as independents.

Premier before election

Peter Taptuna

Premier
after election

Paul Quassa

The Nunavut general election, 2017 was held in the Canadian territory of Nunavut on October 30, 2017 to return the members of the 5th Nunavut Legislature. [2] The fifth general election held since the creation of the territory in 1999, it was the first election held under Nunavut's new fixed election dates law, which requires elections to be held no more than four years after the prior election. [3]

Canada Country in North America

Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest country by total area. Canada's southern border with the United States, stretching some 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), is the world's longest bi-national land border. Its capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. As a whole, Canada is sparsely populated, the majority of its land area being dominated by forest and tundra. Consequently, its population is highly urbanized, with over 80 percent of its inhabitants concentrated in large and medium-sized cities, with 70% of citizens residing within 100 kilometres (62 mi) of the southern border. Canada's climate varies widely across its vast area, ranging from arctic weather in the north, to hot summers in the southern regions, with four distinct seasons.

Nunavut Territory of Canada

Nunavut is the newest, largest, and most northerly territory of Canada. It was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the boundaries had been drawn in 1993. The creation of Nunavut resulted in the first major change to Canada's political map since the incorporation of the province of Newfoundland in 1949.

The 5th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut began after the 2017 general election on October 30, 2017. The election returned 22 non-partisan members. In March 2019 the riding of Tununiq was vacated by the death of Joe Enook.

Contents

Unlike most federal or provincial elections in Canada, elections to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut are conducted on a non-partisan consensus government model, in which all candidates 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 legislature.

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada, is located in Iqaluit, and is the territory's parliament.

Consensus government

A consensus government is one in which the cabinet is appointed by the legislature without reference to political parties. Consensus government chiefly arises in non-partisan democracies and similar systems in which a majority of politicians are independent. Many former British territories with large indigenous populations use consensus government to fuse traditional tribal leadership with the Westminster system. Consensus government in Canada is used in Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Nunatsiavut, and similar systems have arisen in the Pacific island nations of Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, as well as the ancient Tynwald of the Isle of Man.

The Premier of Nunavut is the first minister for the Canadian territory of Nunavut. The Premier is the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although their powers are somewhat smaller than those of a provincial premier.

Candidates

As of the close of nominations on September 29, 2017, three MLAs, Steve Mapsalak, Keith Peterson and Premier Peter Taptuna were the only incumbents not running again. [4] One district, Kugluktuk, saw only one candidate register by the close of nominations; that candidate, Mila Adjukak Kamingoak, was immediately declared as acclaimed to office. [5]

Steve Mapsalak is a Canadian politician, who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.

Alan Keith Peterson was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada and lives in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. He was the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the electoral district of Cambridge Bay having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut general election. He was re-elected in the 2008 and 2013 elections.

Peter Taptuna Canadian politician

Peter Taptuna is a Canadian politician who served as the third Premier of Nunavut from 2013 to 2017.

In one district, Cambridge Bay, formal declaration of the winner was not made until November 5, with the initial results undergoing an automatic recount due to a margin of less than two per cent between the top two finishers. [6] The recount confirmed that the original count was correct. [7]

Cambridge Bay is a territorial electoral district (riding) for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.

An election recount is a repeat tabulation of votes cast in an election that is used to determine the correctness of an initial count. Recounts will often take place in the event that the initial vote tally during an election is extremely close.

Results

A record number of women were elected to the legislature; [8] in addition to Kamingoak's acclamation, four more women were declared elected on election night, and a woman won the recount in Cambridge Bay. [8] These six women, representing 27 per cent of the legislature, represent the first time in the territory's history that it has ranked higher than last or second-last among Canada's provinces and territories for female membership in the legislature.

Following the election, only three of the eight incumbent cabinet ministers had been reelected: three were defeated and two, including Premier Peter Taptuna, chose not to run again. Overall, half of the legislature's 22 incumbents were reelected.

On November 17, 2017, the Nunavut Leadership Forum convened in Iqaluit to choose the next premier. MLAs Joe Savikataaq, Cathy Towtongie, Patterk Netser, and Paul Quassa put their names forward; ultimately, Paul Quassa was elected premier, and Joe Enook was chosen as Speaker. The Executive Council will consist of David Akeeagok, Pat Angnakak, Jeannie Ehaloak, David Joanasie, Lorne Kusugak, Joe Savikataaq, and Elisapee Sheutiapik. [9]

Joe Saviktaaq is a Canadian politician who is currently serving as the fifth and current premier of Nunavut. He was elected Premier on June 14, 2018, after his predecessor Paul Quassa lost a non-confidence vote.

Cathy Towtongie is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2017 general election. She will represent the electoral district of Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet.

Patterk Netser is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nanulik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008, and was reelected to the legislature in 2017 to represent the new district of Aivilik.

Reelection statistics
SeatsDid not run againDefeatedReelected
All MLAs223 (13.6%)8 (36.3%)11 (50.0%)
Cabinet ministers82 (25.0%)3 (37.5%)3 (37.5%)
Candidates by district
DistrictCommunitiesWinnerSecondThirdFourthOthersIncumbent
Bold denotes cabinet ministers
Aggu [10] Igloolik (north part) Paul Quassa
106
Matt Teed
96
Richard Amarualik
79
Jerome Sheaves
14
Paul Quassa
Reelected
Aivilik [11] Coral Harbour,
Naujaat
Patterk Netser
318
Jack Anawak
218
Steve Mapsalak
Did not run again
Amittuq [12] Igloolik (south part),
Hall Beach
Joelie Kaernerk
115
Paul Haulli
84
George Qulaut
69
Reena Akumalik Irqittuq
46
Jason Ikeperiar: 41
Solomon Angugasak Allurut: 39
Erasmus Ivvalu: 22
George Qulaut
Defeated
Arviat North-Whale Cove [13] Arviat (north part),
Whale Cove
John Main
408
George Kuksuk
115
George Kuksuk
Defeated
Arviat South [14] Arviat (south part) Joe Savikataaq
280
Jason Gibbons
234
Joe Savikataaq
Reelected
Baker Lake [15] Baker Lake Simeon Mikkungwak
389
Karen Kabloona
280
Simeon Mikkungwak
Reelected
Cambridge Bay [16] Cambridge Bay Jeannie Ehaloak
259
Pamela Gross
250
Harry Maksagak
126
Keith Peterson
Did not run again
Gjoa Haven [17] Gjoa Haven Tony Akoak
171
James Taqaugaq Qitsualik
133
Paul Puqiqnak
79
Joseph Aglukkaq
53
Tony Akoak
Reelected
Hudson Bay [18] Sanikiluaq Allan Rumbolt
131
Peter Qavvik
112
Peter Kattuk
105
Allan Rumbolt
Reelected
Iqaluit-Manirajak [19] Iqaluit (west part) Adam Arreak-Lightstone
253
Monica Ell-Kanayuk
227
Jude Lewis
81
Okalik Eegeesiak
64
Monica Ell-Kanayuk
Defeated
Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu [20] Iqaluit (east part) Pat Angnakak
231
Franco Buscemi
196
Anne Crawford
134
Pat Angnakak
Reelected
Iqaluit-Sinaa [21] Iqaluit (south part) Elisapee Sheutiapik
237
Paul Okalik
150
Cindy Rennie
86
Adamee Itorcheak
56
Paul Okalik
Defeated
Iqaluit-Tasiluk [22] Iqaluit (north part) George Hickes
449
Jacopoosie Peter
121
George Hickes
Reelected
Kugluktuk [23] Kugluktuk Mila Adjukak Kamingoak
acclaimed
Peter Taptuna
Did not run again
Netsilik [24] Taloyoak,
Kugaaruk
Emilino Qirngnuq
310
Joe Tulurialik
141
Emilino Qirngnuq
Reelected
Pangnirtung [25] Pangnirtung Margaret Nakashuk
266
Harry John Dialla
129
Johnny Mike
93
Hezakiah Oshutapik
31
Johnny Mike
Defeated
Quttiktuq [26] Arctic Bay,
Grise Fiord,
Resolute
David Akeeagok
189
Mishak Allurut
78
Isaac Shooyook
45
Kataisee Attagutsiak
44
Leo Eecherk: 34
Andrew Taqtu: 9
Mavis Manik: 6
Gary Kalluk: 2
Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley: 0
Isaac Shooyook
Defeated
Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet [27] Rankin Inlet (north part),
Chesterfield Inlet
Cathy Towtongie
171
Cedric Autut
147
Tom Sammurtok
93
Douglas Aggark
58
Tom Sammurtok
Defeated
Rankin Inlet South [28] Rankin Inlet (south part) Lorne Kusugak
309
Alexander Sammurtok
136
Alexander Sammurtok
Defeated
South Baffin [29] Cape Dorset,
Kimmirut
David Joanasie
318
Michael Salomonie
201
David Joanasie
Reelected
Tununiq [30] Pond Inlet Joe Enook
258
David Qamaniq
146
Jeannie Mills
102
Joe Enook
Reelected
Uqqummiut [31] Clyde River,
Qikiqtarjuaq
Pauloosie Keyootak
235
Jerry Natanine
191
Johnathan Palluq
118
Pauloosie Keyootak
Reelected

As of November 1, all results are unofficial. [32]

Related Research Articles

The Nunavut general election, 2004 was the second general election held in the Canadian territory. It was held on February 16, 2004, to elect the 19 members of the 2nd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.

Nunavut Arctic College

Nunavut Arctic College is a Crown corporation that is funded by the Government of Nunavut and has several campuses and centres spread out throughout Nunavut, Canada.

Kugluktuk is the most western territorial electoral district (riding) for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.

Elisapee Sheutiapik is a Canadian politician, who served as mayor of Iqaluit, Nunavut, from 2003 to 2010, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2017 general election.

The Third Nunavut General Election took place on October 27, 2008, to return members to the 3rd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The election was contested across 15 of Nunavut's 19 electoral districts under the first past the post system of voting. Due to local circumstances, the election was delayed in two districts, and two districts did not hold elections as their incumbent MLAs faced no opposition and were acclaimed back into office.

Lorne Kusugak is a Canadian politician, who is Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for the electoral district of Rankin Inlet South. Prior to becoming an MLA, Kusugak was the mayor of Rankin Inlet. Kusugak served as the Nunavut Minister for Community and Government Services, Minister for Energy and the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.

Eva Aariak Canadian politician

Eva Qamaniq Aariak is a Canadian Inuk politician, who was elected in the 2008 territorial election to represent the electoral district of Iqaluit East in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. She was subsequently chosen as the second Premier of Nunavut, under the territory's consensus government system, on November 14, 2008. Aariak was the fifth woman to serve as a premier in Canada.

Jeannie Ugyuk is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nattilik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2010 by-election. At that time the riding of Nattilik encompassed the communities of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, Nunavut. She became the second woman, along with Premier Eva Aariak, to sit in the 3rd Nunavut Legislature.

2013 Nunavut general election

The 2013 Nunavut general election, formally the 4th Nunavut general election, was held October 28, 2013, to elect 22 members to the 4th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. In November 2012 the assembly passed the Nunavut Elections Act 2012, stating that the writs for election drop September 23, 2013, and an election be held October 28, 2013, the proclamation was registered November 9, 2012. At the 2013 forum, held on November 15, 2013, Peter Taptuna was selected as the new Premier of Nunavut.

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The 4th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut began after the 2013 general election on October 29, 2013. The election returned 20 of the 22 non-partisan members, with the results in two seats pending judicial recounts or follow-up by-elections due to a tied result on election day. After the official recount held November 5, 2013, the district of Rankin Inlet South was found to be still tied and Uqqummiut was won by two votes.

References

  1. http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/6567463.3_per_cent_of_nunavut_voters_cast_ballots_in_2017_election/
  2. "Nunavut MLAs approve money to be spent by next legislature". Nunatsiaq News , June 8, 2017.
  3. "Nunavut MLAs opt for fixed election dates, code of conduct". Nunatsiaq News , February 24, 2014.
  4. Elections Nunavut Declared candidates
  5. "The fifth Nunavut assembly’s first MLA: ready to engage with constituents". Nunatsiaq News , October 2, 2017.
  6. "Close race in western Nunavut hub triggers recount". Nunatsiaq News , October 31, 2017.
  7. "'I'm finally feeling rested': Recount confirms Jeannie Ehaloak's election in Cambridge Bay". CBC North, November 5, 2017.
  8. 1 2 "New faces, and a record number of women, will make up Nunavut's next legislature". CBC North, October 30, 2017.
  9. "Paul Quassa will be Nunavut's next premier". CBC News. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  10. Results for Aggu from Elections Nunavut.
  11. Results for Aivilik from Elections Nunavut.
  12. Results for Amittuq from Elections Nunavut.
  13. Results for Arviat North-Whale Cove from Elections Nunavut.
  14. Results for Arviat South from Elections Nunavut.
  15. Results for Baker Lake from Elections Nunavut.
  16. Results for Cambridge Bay from Elections Nunavut.
  17. Results for Gjoa Haven from Elections Nunavut.
  18. Results for Hudson Bay from Elections Nunavut.
  19. Results for Iqaluit-Manirajak from Elections Nunavut.
  20. Results for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu from Elections Nunavut.
  21. Results for Iqaluit-Sinaa from Elections Nunavut.
  22. Results for Iqaluit-Tasiluk from Elections Nunavut.
  23. Results for Kugluktuk from Elections Nunavut.
  24. Results for Netsilik from Elections Nunavut.
  25. Results for Pangnirtung from Elections Nunavut.
  26. Results for Quttiktuq from Elections Nunavut.
  27. Results for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet from Elections Nunavut.
  28. Results for Rankin Inlet South from Elections Nunavut.
  29. Results for South Baffin from Elections Nunavut.
  30. Results for Tununiq from Elections Nunavut.
  31. Results for Uqqummiut from Elections Nunavut.
  32. 2017 General Election from Elections Nunavut.