Coral Harbour needs a new mayor – but no one is saying why
Byelection scheduled for April 15; in elections last October all posts were filled by acclamation
A byelection to choose a new mayor is scheduled for April 15 in Coral Harbour. (File photo)
Voters in Coral Harbour are being asked to elect a new mayor, just months after Kupapik Ningeocheak was acclaimed to that position for a four-year term.
Elections Nunavut confirmed a byelection in the hamlet is scheduled for April 15.
So far, no explanation has been offered as to why Ningeocheak is no longer mayor. Numerous attempts to speak with a representative at the hamlet office, and with Coun. Willie Nakoolak, who has stepped in as interim mayor, have proven unsuccessful.
Municipal elections were held all across Nunavut last Oct. 23.
Coral Harbour, though, was one of five hamlets where all the elected positions — mayor, councillors and district education authority members — were filled by acclamation.
Clyde River, Kimmirut, Kugaaruk and Qikiqtarjuaq were the others where voters stayed home on election day.
Elections Nunavut announced the date of the byelection in Coral Harbour last week.
The nomination period for candidates opens March 11 and closes March 15. A mobile poll will be available and advance voting will take place April 8 at the Coral Harbour hamlet office, according to Elections Nunavut.
Voters who will be away from the hamlet can request a mail-in ballot from Elections Nunavut.
Nunavut: Where democracy and accountability go to die.
When does it stop?
Literally no one saw this coming.
I’m not sure why the elected officials of Coral Harbour are being so uninformative about the removal of the Mayor. Additionally, in 2023, the DEA closed the school down and refused to provide a reason. It’s a very strange community, and I’m glad I don’t live there.
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/coral-harbour-school-closed-education-authority-seeks-meeting-with-gn-officials/
Politics in these tiny communities function as little fiefdoms, it’s not surprising they resist accountability at all. I agree, we are blessed not to live under such dysfunction.
Either he resigned or council expelled him for non-attendance with the Supervisor’s approval.
Expulsion would have been a formal council motion on the record, so I assume he resigned.
Nunatsiaq should ask Elections Nunavut how they became aware of the mayoral vacancy.