Iqaluit’s next MLAs a mix of incumbents and newcomers

The Iqaluit ridings will bring a mix of experience and new faces to Nunavut’s next legislature.

Adam Arreak-Lightstone will be returning for his second term representing Iqaluit-Manirajak while George Hickes will be returning for this third term in the riding of Iqaluit-Tasiluk. Joining the returning Iqaluit MLAs will be newcomers P.J. Akeeagok in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu and Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster in Iqaluit-Sinaa.

“It’s a tremendous feeling,” Lightstone said. “[I’m] so happy to maintain the confidence of Iqalummiut.”

Lightstone received 306 votes, beating out longtime Iqaluit city councillor Joanasie Akumalik, who got 162 votes.

In his first term, Lightstone served on the management and services board of the legislature, which is responsible for financial and administrative matters. Before he was elected, Lightstone was a senior fiscal advisor in the Government of Nunavut’s Finance Department.

Lightstone said he plans to continue to address issues in the legislature such as child abuse, domestic violence and the environment.

In Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Hickes won with 265 out of 520 ballots cast according to Elections Nunavut, defeating James T. Arreak, Michael Salomonie and Jonathan Chul-Hee Min Park.

First elected in 2013, Hickes served as the minister of justice and finance in the last legislature.

“Hopefully I’ll be a part of cabinet again and I can help follow up with some of the stuff I’ve been working on already,” Hickes said.

Heading into a new legislature, Hickes said in an interview with Nunatsiaq News that some of his priorities are eldercare, employment opportunities and local health-care.

P.J. Akeeagok won 84 per cent of the vote in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu according to Elections Nunavut, receiving 404 out of 484 ballots. He defeated Dinos Tikivik and Noah Papatsie.

Before being elected, Akeeagok was the president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, a role he held for seven years until resigning in August to run for MLA.

In an interview with Nunatsiaq News Akeeagok said that his priorities include addressing the territory’s housing shortage and providing more mental health supports.

In Iqaluit-Sinaa, Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster won by just seven votes. She received 97 out of 264 votes, while Jeff Ungalaq Maurice had 90 and Christa Kunuk had 75, according to Elections Nunavut.

Nunavut’s election laws allow for a recall in close races.

Brewster took leave from her position as deputy mayor of Iqaluit to run for MLA.

“I’d like to thank [my constituents] – again – for their confidence in me,” Brewster said.

“I look forward to the next four years.”

Cost of daycare, affordable housing and community safety are three issues that Brewster her campaigned on.