5 Nunavut communities won’t have chance to vote in municipal election

This story was updated on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Leading up to Nunavut’s Oct. 23 municipal elections, Nunatsiaq News is publishing snapshots of races in the territory’s 25 communities.

Municipal elections across Nunavut are set for Oct. 23, but voters in five communities will have no races to decide that day.

The contests for mayor, hamlet council, district education authority, and, in some communities, alcohol education committee, went uncontested and are acclaimed in Clyde River, Coral Harbour, Kimmirut, Kugaaruk and Qikiqtarjuaq.

“From recent memory, this has been the most acclamations in an election,” said Joe Savikataaq Jr., president of Nunavut Association of Municipalities.

Savikataaq himself is acclaimed to a second term in this election as mayor of Arviat.

In fact, only eight of Nunavut’s 25 communities are heading into the election with full rosters of candidates for both mayor and council. The rest have acclaimed either their mayor, council, or both.

Savikataaq thinks there are many reasons for this.

“Perhaps people think four years [for a term] is too long,” he said.

“Perhaps people are losing interest in politics. Another reason might be when you’re in elected positions you get a lot of pressure from the public and maybe people don’t want that kind of lifestyle.”

But what communities lose, Savikataaq said, is democracy.

He believes there should be more information available to help educate the public on the roles of elected officials and what people need to know about running. He said the Nunavut Association of Municipalities is advocating for that.

Candidates should be encouraged to run but should also be prepared for the demands of the job, he said.

“If you’re going to run for it, you must know what you’re getting into,” Savikataaq said.

“You must be very committed and have a lot of patience and very thick skin. When you’re into politics, and don’t take anything personal, we are there for the betterment of the community.”

Savikataaq pointed out that the last territorial election also included some acclaimed races.

Five out of 22 constituencies were acclaimed in 2021, including Arviat South, which went to Savikataaq’s father, Joe Savikataaq.

But Mayor Savikataaq says he sees the decline in candidates as a temporary trend.

“We’re going to see an uptick in candidates in the coming elections. It probably just goes in a cycle,” he said.

“People lose interest, people want to make a change or they’re not happy with something [so they] run for office. That will happen in our next election where there’s more candidates.”

There will be no byelections for council or DEAs to fill any remaining vacancies in the municipal election, according to Dustin Fredlund, Nunavut’s chief electoral officer, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.

Any vacancies will be filled through a public appointment process led by the councils or boards themselves.

Here are the five communities with fully acclaimed races, and the acclaimed candidates in each category:

Qikiqtarjuaq

• Mayor: Daisy Arnaquq.
• Councillors: Mika Nookiguak, Geela Qiyuqtaq, Jonah M. Audlakiak and Jonah Keeyookta.
• District education authority: Billy Mikoalik, Rosie Alikatuktuk, Kitty Natsiapik, Mary Alikatuktuk and Jonah Keeyookta. Alcohol education committee: Mika Nookiguak, Billy Mikoalik, Jamie Audlakiak, Mary Alikatuktuk

Coral Harbour

• Mayor: Kupapik Ningeocheak.
• Councillors: Lucy Netser, Willie Nakoolak, Molly Angootealuk, Kristal Sharpe.
• District education authority: Darryl Nakoolak, Kidlapik Nakoolak, Jerry Paniuq, Amouyah Bernidette Eetuk, Akavak Ottokie, Willie Nakoolak and Lucy Netser.

Clyde River

• Mayor: Liemikie Palluq.
• Councillors: Gordon Kautuk, Mosa Palituq and Natanine Apak.
• District education authority: Gina Paniloo. AEC: Sheila Enook

Kimmirut

• Mayor: Maliktoo Lyta.
• Councillors: Terry Itulu, Mary Lyta, Terry Pitsiulak and Alashuk Allen.
• District education authority: Joanasie Atsiaq, Mary Sagiaktuk, Akulujuk Judea. AEC: Terry Itulu, Maliktoo Lyta, Isaac Temela, Nooshoota Laila Onalik.

Kugaaruk

• Mayor: Teddy Apsaktaun.
• Councillors: Guido Tigvareark, Fabiola Ihakkaq, Canute Krejunark and Nick Amautinuar.
• District education authority: Celina Ningark, Stephen Inaksajak, Columban Pujuardjok, Beatrix Apsaktaun, Jennifer Anguti and Mark Karlik Sr.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect correct information about the use of byelections after the municipal election is over.