Kuthula Matshazi chosen as Iqaluit’s newest city councillor

Kuthula Matshazi will be Iqaluit City Council’s newest member after fellow councillors selected him out of seven candidates Tuesday evening.

Matshazi, who previously served on council from 2015 to 2019, replaces Sam Tilley, who resigned from council in March, citing personal reasons.

“There are so many challenges that the city faces. I believe I have the commitment and understanding of how to tackle the challenges that we face,” Matshazi said in a phone interview Thursday, adding that infrastructure, housing and poverty alleviation are among his priorities.

Matshazi is scheduled to be sworn before council’s July 28 meeting and will serve for the remainder of the council term, said city spokesperson Geoffrey Byrne Wednesday, in a news release.

The next municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2027.

“I look forward to working with him soon,” said Coun. Kyle Sheppard during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Matshazi did not run to keep his council seat back in 2019 because he instead pursued a master’s degree in public administration at Ottawa’s Carleton University. He graduated in 2022 and returned to Iqaluit. He now works with the Department of Education as the director of stakeholder engagement.

Councillors choose their new colleague by using a ranking of each of the candidates on a scale from one to seven on a ballot, with seven as the highest value. Matshazi emerged with the highest total rank.

Barry Blackmon, William Glenn, Amoudla Kootoo, Maher Natsheh, Noah Papatsie and Trevor Tayor also put their name forward for the seat.

Deputy Mayor Kimberly Smith suggested revising the voting format in future. She instead suggested that councillors select three candidates with a rank of one, two, or three, rather than being obliged to rank every candidate in the field.

Tilley is the second Iqaluit councillor to resign since the 2023 election. Jack Anawak was the first.