New Iqaluit council takes oath, prepares for first meeting

A young girl livens up a swearing-in ceremony for Iqaluit’s new city councillors by hopping around Thursday, Nov. 5. In the background is John Hussey, the city’s chief administrative officer, who conducted the ceremony. (PHOTO BY CHRIS WINDEYER)

Iqaluit’s mayor and city council were sworn into office during a brief ceremony at the Nunavut Court of Justice Thursday night.

“You’re going to be in for an interesting ride,” promised John Hussey, the city’s chief administrative officer.

The new council features six new faces: only councillors Jimmy Kilabuk and Simon Nattaq return from the batch elected in 2006. Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik also returns, after defeating former councillor Jim Little in the Oct. 19 election.

Coun. Mary Ekho Wilman, who captured the most votes of any council candidate during last month’s election, said she’s looking forward to learning the ropes as a municipal politician.

Wilman said her priorities include making the city more sustainable and attractive and improving communications between Iqalummiut and city hall.

“I’ve been looking forward to starting, in fact I was getting a bit impatient,” she said, laughing.

“I’m more excited about understanding what the possibilities [are], what we can do as a city.”

Romeyn Stevenson needed a recount to capture the eighth council seat after trailing incumbent David Alexander by single vote on election night. He said he’s also looking forward to getting started.

“I’m not nervous, I’m just ready to get down to doing something, looking forward to the first meeting,” Stevenson said.

He won’t have to wait long. Council is scheduled to meet Nov. 10. The main item on the agenda is the appointment of a deputy mayor. Councillors will later take part in an orientation session slated for Nov. 16 and 17.

Both Stevenson and fellow council rookie Mat Knickelbein say Iqalummiut haven’t been shy about coming up and chatting with them.

Knickelbein said he wants to get started “to see exactly what my responsibilities are, exactly how much change I can bring to council and how much I can get done.”

Mary Akpalialuk, another rookie councillor, said she’s looking forward to working with other councillors on the issues she campaigned on, including a fix for the city’s teeming landfill.

“Hopefully we’ll work on it before the first of the New Year,” she said.

Seven of the city’s eight councillors were sworn in during the ceremony. Coun. Natsiq Alainga-Kango couldn’t make the meeting and will be sworn in later.