At first post-election meeting, Iqaluit council picks deputy mayor, committee chairs

Iqaluit City Council met for the first time since the Oct. 19 municipal election to choose committee chairs and a deputy mayor. (PHOTO BY STEVE DUCHARME)

Smiles flashed often between new and returning city councillors as they filed in to take their seats Nov. 10 at the inaugural meeting of Iqaluit’s new city council.

Mayor Madeleine Redfern set the pace early, conducting business in a brisk style, as council appointed chairpersons for various council committees and other positions.

Coun. Romeyn Stevenson will once again serve as deputy mayor.

“I accept it with great pride,” Stevenson said.

And returning councillor Joanasie Akumalik will serve as the council’s alternative deputy mayor, succeeding Simon Nattaq in that role.

Akumalik suggested a meeting between the City and Iqaluit’s four MLAs as soon as possible.

“This time around this new council would like to work more closely with the government,” Akumalik said.

“We will endeavor to meet with Iqaluit MLAs in the New Year,” Redfern replied.

She also congratulated Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes on his recent promotion to cabinet.

New councillor Kuthula Matshazi will shoulder an especially heavy workload, chairing Iqaluit’s economic development committee and co-chairing the finance, engineering and public works committees.

First-time councilor Megan Pizzo-Lyall will chair the planning and development committee, as well as the public safety committee.

Councillors also chose Pizzo-Lyall to serve as the mayor’s representative on the search and rescue committee, over veteran councilor Nattaq, who has held the position for years.

Nattaq and Pizzo-Lyall tied for the position in a vote by secret ballot among city councilors.

The mayor, who is allowed to cast a vote to break a tie, sided with Pizzo-Lyall and thanked Nattaq for his years of service on the SAR committee.

With responsibilities laid out for the next three years, city council will get down to business at its next meeting, scheduled for Nov. 24.

The full list of appointments for Iqaluit’s new city council is as follows:

• Romeyn Stevenson — deputy mayor, board of revision member;

• Joanasie Akumalik — alternative deputy mayor

• Gideonie Joamie — Iqaluit community lands and resource management member; and,

• Megan Pizzo-Lyall — mayor’s representative on the SAR committee.

Committee Appointments

Engineering and Public Works Committee of the Whole:

• Joanasie Akumalik, chair

• Kuthula Matshazi, co-chair

Planning and Development Committee of the Whole:

• Megan Pizzo-Lyall, chair

• Gideonie Joamie, co-chair

Recreation Committee:

• Jason Rochon, chair

• Gideonie Joamie, co-chair

• Simon Nattaq, member

Public Safety Committee:

• Megan Pizzo-Lyall, chair

• Jason Rochon, co-chair

• Romeyn Stevenson, member

Niksiit Committee:

•Simon Nattaq, chair

•Gideonie Joamie, co-chair

Taxi Review Board:

•Terry Dobbin, chair

•Jason Rochon, co-chair

Economic Development Committee:

• Kuthula Matshazi, chair

• Megan Pizzo-Lyall, co-chair

• Terry Dobbin, member

Disabilities Advisory Committee:

• Jason Rochon, chair

• Simon Nattaq, co-chair

• Joanasie Akumalik, member

Emergency Management Plan Committee:

• Simon Nattaq, chair

Grievance Committee:

• Terry Dobbin, chair

• Gideonie Joamie, co-chair