Nunavut election gets underway as federal race wraps

The race to elect Nunavut’s next legislative assembly got underway Monday, just as the federal election campaign was winding down, with some prominent public figures clarifying where they’re going to run.

P.J. Akeeagok, the former president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, is running to be the next MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu — a seat made vacant when its former representative, Pat Angnakak, resigned to run as the Liberal candidate in Monday’s federal election. Angnakak lost to the NDP’s Lori Idlout, an Iqaluit lawyer.

Iqaluit deputy mayor Janet Brewster, who took a leave of absence from her city duties, is running to be the MLA for Iqaluit-Sinaa.

Akeeagok and Brewster are among the 16 candidates who had registered to run in the territorial election as of Tuesday morning, according to Elections Nunavut’s website. Candidates have until Friday to register to run in one of Nunavut’s 22 ridings. Nunavummiut will cast their ballots on Oct. 25.

Premier Joe Savikataaq is officially in the running in Arviat South. He was among the 17 MLAs who confirmed before the previous legislative assembly was dissolved that they would be seeking re-election.

The writ dropped for the territorial election on Monday after the fifth legislative assembly was dissolved on Sunday.

Candidates running in one of Nunavut’s 22 ridings have until Friday to get their names on the ballots.

Here’s a list of who’s in the running so far:

Aivilik

• Solomon Malliki

Amittuq

• Joelie Kaernerk

Arviat South

• Joe Savikataaq

Cambridge Bay

• Pamela Hakongak Gross
• Peter Ohokak

Gjoa Haven

• Paul Tunik Puqiqnak
• Veronica Ullulaq

Hudson Bay

• Daniel Qavvik

Iqaluit-Manirajak

• Adam Lightstone

Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu

• P.J. Akeeagok

Iqaluit Sinaa

• Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster
• Christa Kunuk

Iqaluit-Tasiluk

• George Hickes
• Jonathan Chul-Hee Min Park

Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet

• Q. Cathy Towtongie
• Alexander Sammurtok

There are no official candidates yet announced for Aggu, Arviat North-Whale Cove, Baker Lake, Kugluktuk, Netsilik, Pangnirtung, Quttiktuq, South Baffin, Tununiq or Uqqummiut.

In the last sitting of the fifth legislature, 17 members announced they planned on running for their seats again — all members except for Allan Rumbolt, Elisapee Sheutiapik and Pauloosie Keyootak.