Iqaluit looking for new city councillors
Vacancies open after 2 councillors resigned last year
The City of Iqaluit is looking to appoint members to council after two councillors resigned in 2021. (File photo)
Iqaluit city council is looking to appoint new councillors to fill vacancies created when two resigned last year.
In August, former deputy mayor Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster received a leave of absence from council last fall in order to run in the territorial election.
Brewster won the Iqaluit-Sinaa riding on Oct. 25, leaving her post as deputy mayor, which was taken up by Coun. Solomon Awa.
Then, in November, former Coun. John Fawcett announced his resignation, saying his decision to leave was due to personal reasons.
Fawcett said he and his wife are having a baby and are moving south to be closer to family.
Applicants for the vacancies must meet a series of requirements, such as not being in debt to the city for $500 for more than 90 days and having paid their property taxes, according to a news release from the city.
The City of Iqaluit is appointing new members rather than holding a byelection because byelections are only used to fill mayoral vacancies, said Elections Nunavut chief electoral officer Dustin Fredlund.
The choices the city has to fill councillor seats are either to put out a public call for applications or pick the person with the next highest number of votes from the previous election, he said.
The deadline to apply for a spot on city council is Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m.
I wonder why there was a decision to not pick the person with the next highest number of votes from the previous election. That is what was done last time apparently.
Why did the Mayor and council not take the next highest candidate? Maybe its because they are not friends with Haley Anawak and Bethany Scott…. Seems interesting that council chooses that route one time, but now wants to appoint…… Not fair for the people of Iqaluit, but lets be honest, who would actually want to sit around the table with those who have handled this water crisis like such a gong show…..
Lets Go Kenny!
In light of the water crisis and the need for accountability and transparency, mayor and council should NOT be the ones selecting the replacements.
after the water episodes, i highly doubt there are people lining up to become council. especially after being burned at the steak, no one would think “Hmmm that looks fun”
Well they should be overwhelmed with interest, as all of the commenters on Nunatsiaq news articles have a lot to say, they should be all fighting over these council spots.