Housing, youth and elder care remain focus for Quttiktuq candidate

This story was updated on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. ET.

Nunatsiaq News is publishing riding profiles ahead of the Oct. 27 territorial election. Keep your eye on our website to learn more about who is running in your area.

Three candidates are vying to represent Quttiktuq in Nunavut’s territorial election — Philip Kalluk, Andrew Taqtu, and Steven Taqtu — following current MLA David Akeeagok’s decision to seek election in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu instead.

The riding, which covers Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, faces challenges including overcrowded housing and few opportunities for youth and elders.

Candidate Steven Taqtu said housing remains his top concern.

“What inspired me the most [to run] was that we all know up here we don’t have housing stuff,” he said in an interview. “My first priority would be to try and get shelters for people who don’t have housing and have 15-plus people in their two bedrooms.”

A lifelong resident of Arctic Bay, Steven Taqtu currently works as a heavy equipment operator for Arctic Fresh Project/Penn-co in Arctic Bay.

He started his career as a general labourer in 2014, working his way up through roles such as haul truck operator before being promoted to a managerial role with Baffinland Iron Mines Inc., which he said has helped with his public speaking skills.

“I try my best to be friendly and easygoing and all that. I think I’m somewhat respected in the community,” Steven Taqtu said.

Beyond housing, Taqtu said he wants to create more opportunities for youth in the region.

“My second priority is youth centres in the three communities I would represent,” he said. “We have some activities during the school year, but there’s hardly anything during spring breaks.”

“The suicide rate for our youth up here is amongst the highest in Canada and we hope that this will drop the percentage down.”

He added that support for elders is another priority.

“The third priority is to try and get an elders facility. A lot of elders I talk to have zero to no interest in going to the elder facility in Ottawa. What would be good is to have one facility in the three communities I would represent to start off,” Steven Taqtu said.

Although his campaigning has been quiet due to family commitments, including caring for a newborn, he said he encourages people to get out and vote.

“That’s the only mistake people make — not going to vote. Your vote will be counted; every vote counts.”

Teena Muckpaloo, the financial agent for Andrew Taqtu’s campaign, said in an email that Andrew Taqtu recently travelled to Ottawa for medical reasons and was unavailable for an interview.

Philip Kalluk has not responded to an interview request from Nunatsiaq News.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct Steven Taqtu’s current employment information.