Members express optimism as new Iqaluit city council sworn in
Three new councillors join 5 returnees and Mayor Solomon Awa
Solomon Awa is sworn-in as mayor of Iqaluit on Thursday night after being elected to his first full term as the head of council. All of the new council members were sworn in. Their first meeting scheduled for Nov. 14. (Photo courtesy of Kent Driscoll)
Fresh off the Oct. 23 municipal elections, Iqaluit’s new city council was sworn-in at the courthouse Thursday evening.
“I’m honoured to be a representative on the council,” said Jack Anawak, one of three new members elected to the eight-person council along with Harry Flaherty and Methusalah Kunuk.
They fill vacancies left by former councillors Paul Quassa and Ookalik Curley, who did not seek re-election, and Swany Amarapala who was defeated in the election.
Joining the new members are re-elected councillors Kimberly Smith, Kyle Sheppard, Romeyn Stevenson, Sam Tilley and Simon Nattaq.
Kunuk is retired from the Government of Nunavut, where he was an assistant deputy minister in the Economic Development and Transportation Department. He is also a former vice-president of Baffin Fisheries.
Flaherty is president of Qikiqtaaluk Corp., and Anawak is a former Liberal MP who represented the area of Nunavut from 1988 to 1997 when it was still a part of the Northwest Territories.
Anawak was also a Nunavut MLA from 1999 to 2004 and is a former mayor of Rankin Inlet.
“It’s exciting for me to try and be a part of what may be some necessary changes for Iqaluit,” Anawak said.
He said that includes the need for land development, addressing the housing shortage and the high cost of cemetery burials.
Anawak also spoke of the makeup of the new council, saying Inuit in Iqaluit will feel more represented.
“It’s been a long time since there was a real representation from Inuit on the council,” he said.
Returning councillor Kyle Sheppard said he is “really optimistic and excited to get back to work.”
“We’ve got a lot of diverse backgrounds, different skill sets and experience,” he said of the new council.
He referred to Anawak’s political background and Flaherty’s business acumen as advantages the new council brings.
With a large water infrastructure project in the works and water rates to tackle, there will be no shortage of work for the new council, Sheppard said.
“It’s going to be very intense for everybody,” he said. “From our first meeting on Nov. 14 to the end of the year while we prepare the budget and groundwork for next year.”
To monitor the longer-term projects, Sheppard said it would be beneficial to have the council together for the full four years, acknowledging the last council saw a large turnover in members leaving before their terms expired.
Of the Iqaluit city council that was elected in 2019, five members – mayor Kenny Bell and councillors Joanasie Akumalik, Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster, Sheila Flaherty and Malaiya Lucassie — did not complete their terms.
Another member, John Fawcett who was named to council mid-term to replace another councillor, also left before the end of the term.
“It’s been a long time since there was a real representation from Inuit on the council,” said Anawak.
um, Mr Anawak, the former Council had a number of Inuit who represented the City.
were they half inuk, or only there half the time?
aaaaaand Mr Anawak resigns.
One less Inuit represented.
but seriously Mr Anawak, I hope all is well with you.
If Jack is so ecstatic about… “Inuit in Iqaluit will feel more represented.”
Does this mean Iqaluit will stop. Will pull Iqaluit out from continuously being a UN, Iclei city? Where the city is directed to go by non elected foreign bureaucrats.
If not, what coming year has been set for Iqaluit to ban cars, trucks? Become a 15 minute, controlled city?
Eye opening the number of thumbs down… To pulling out of ICLEI membership.
But continue to work towards the ban of cars/trucks in Iqaluit before 2030. And move towards a 15-minute freedom restricted city in Iqaluit.
Surely hope an awake councilor will demand the city of Iqaluit stop paying the yearly membership to ICLEI.
You still have to watch two bad boys in the hot seat what a joke M.K who as Exacutive vice Chairman crates employment with a multi million dollar company who or say he does not understand business represent well to the Amaruq HTA with poorly reports should be watched well along with H.F running a business for all baffin communities he says,
running his own business and sits on a corporation buying parts to approve always!,
Eyes and ears and board members don’t care either discussing whom knows drainage who shell speak soon!,
QIA president nope he as well has it made loop holes….
Eyes & ears
“It’s been a long time since there was real representation from Inuit on the council”
Let’s name a few “Inuit” city council members in recent past; Simon Nattaq, Solomon Awa, Joanasie Akumalik, Malaya Lucassie, Gideonie Joamie, Mary Wilman, Jimmy Kilabuk. I would think these individuals are just as Inuk as jack is. What a conceited old man to say the least. His words and actions do not reflect IQ and TK to which he has on many occasion state their importance. This is the last type of person Inuit would want to be represented by.
He is driving the bus for NU politics… who’s getting aboard?