Joanasie elected Speaker as leadership forum opens at legislature
New premier, cabinet members to be chosen by MLAs later Tuesday
David Joanasie takes the Speaker’s chair at the legislature Tuesday after being elected to the position by his fellow MLAs. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
South Baffin MLA David Joanasie is the Speaker of Nunavut’s seventh legislative assembly after being elected by MLAs in a secret ballot Tuesday morning.
Joanasie won the post in a three-way race. Also in the running were Kugluktuk MLA Simon Kuliktana, who was nominated by Tununiq MLA Brian Koonoo; and Amittuq MLA Abraham Qammaniq, nominated by Arviat North-Whale Cove MLA John Main.
Vote results were confirmed at 10:25 a.m.
Joanasie told reporters after the vote he was “humbled” to be stepping into the new role.
Leaning on his 12 years of legislative experience, he said he wants to help new members.
“I’ll be making sure that the proceedings are going as smoothly as can be,” he said, adding he also plans to meet with former Speaker Tony Akoak, who was present at Tuesday’s forum.
MLAs will vote later Tuesday to elect a new premier and then eight members of cabinet, also by secret ballot. The new premier is expected to assign portfolios to the new cabinet members sometime this week.
Main and Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA David Akeeagok are the nominees for premier, hoping to succeed outgoing Premier P.J. Akeeagok.
Before the vote, each will be permitted to deliver a formal speech and then MLAs who weren’t nominated will have the opportunity to ask questions of Main and Aeeagok.
Joanasie will preside over the rest of Tuesday’s proceedings.
This is probably a good call. An experienced MLA who also doesn’t have the chops to be a Minister of a portfolio. Good choice of Speaker.
Congratulations to Premier Main. This is very good news indeed.
Good choice! All the best Dave!