Akeeagok ‘thankful’ after surviving attempt to oust him as premier
MLA Solomon Malliki says ‘no comment’ after defeat of motion to remove premier over ‘transparency’ concerns
Premier P.J. Akeeagok speaks with reporters Wednesday at the legislative assembly after surviving a vote by MLAs to try to remove him as premier. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Premier P.J. Akeeagok says he plans to collaborate better with all MLAs after surviving a motion to be removed as Nunavut’s head of government.
“I’m very thankful to be entrusted in this role,” Akeeagok said, speaking to reporters Wednesday.
“I heard, yet again, that there’s improvements that we could make, so I really appreciate all the comments that were presented.”
Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki’s motion to remove Akeeagok as premier was defeated, with 10 MLAs voting against it and eight voting to remove him.
There are 22 MLAs but Speaker Tony Akoak does not vote, and three MLAs were away from the legislature Wednesday. That left 18 to vote on Akeeagok’s leadership.
MLAs Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster, Bobby Anavilok and Adam Arreak Lightstone joined Akeeagok and six ministers who voted to keep the premier in power.
MLAs George Hickes, Joelie Kaernerk, Joanna Quassa, Joseph Quqqiaq, Alexander Sammurtok, Joe Savikataaq and Craig Simailak joined Mailliki in favour of ousting Akeeagok.
Minister Margaret Nakashuk as well as MLAs Karen Nutarak and Mary Kiliktee were absent and could not vote.
In tabling the motion, Mailliki again decried what he said was a lack of transparency in Akeeagok’s government. MLAs often don’t get answers from the premier, he said.
Akeeagok provided several examples to argue the opposite, saying his government has frequently presented progress reports, and he has been connected with the territory by visiting 16 communities.
“Could we improve as a government? Yes,” he acknowledged.
Brewster initially rose in favour of the motion, citing “critical errors” surrounding senior staffing decisions and cabinet turnover. She also expressed worry about the premier not following government policies in pursuing his “ambitious agenda.”
“We simply can’t rush things or break the rules,” she said.
After the day’s proceedings, Brewster revealed she made a “last-second” decision to cast her vote to support Akeeagok, partly due to what Akeeagok’s ministers said in supporting him.
Four ministers spoke glowingly about the premier’s personal qualities.
“He sacrifices valuable time away from his family to fulfil these responsibilities,” said deputy Premier Pamela Gross, who added that Akeeagok supported her as she became a new mother.
Health Minister John Main called the confidence vote process a “sledgehammer,” especially since it came up when three members were away.
“If the desire is to fix things, maybe we need to use a screwdriver,” he said.
Lightstone read emails from his constituents, voicing their support for the premier.
He also expressed frustration with Akeeagok and ministers’ tendency to “dance” around questions and not provide clear answers.
But overall, Lightstone said a vote to remove the premier was not in the “best interest of Nunavut.”
After the vote, Mailliki said “no comment” when asked for his reaction.
“I very much look forward to working with each and every [MLA] to continue that strong relationship we have, to address those issues that they’ve identified,” Akeeagok said.
First Trump wins and now this? What a day!
To all Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, including Ministers and the Premier: it’s time to reinforce a spirit of collaboration, as no individual should stand above another in the shared responsibility of governance. In every meeting and discussion, working together as a unified team is essential to ensure the best outcomes for all Nunavummiut.
Now is the time to move beyond division, eliminate nepotism, and avoid unnecessary gossip and finger-pointing. Instead, let’s remember the true purpose for which each of you sought the vote of Nunavut’s election. You were elected to represent and advocate for the real needs of our communities, and there are pressing issues that need your attention and dedication.
Focus on addressing the mental health crisis in Nunavut, meeting the demand for healthcare professionals, improving our education system, and creating more opportunities for Nunavummiut. These are the areas where your collective efforts can make a tangible difference. Remember, your roles are temporary, but the impact of your work on the lives of Nunavut’s residents is lasting.
Let’s shift away from the distractions of publicity and focus instead on building a future where all Nunavummiut benefit from a government that is dedicated, unified, and truly representative.
Especially for Joe and George! Stop thinking of yourself!
Happy birthday to each family and announcing grand babies is the focus of this government.
Thanks for your thoughts
I agree they should not be wasting Minister and Member Statements on that. if they want to include those in the ledge it should be as the end when they are deciding if they have worked hard enough that day.
Or…
Publish a letter of thanks to all that support you personally and financially.
Dammit
PJ is a terrible Premier. All performance and no substance; surrounded by sycophants and fluffers and too undereducated to be self aware.
But everyone else in that house suffers from much the same issues, so what was the point of this silly exercise?
It was clear that PJ is a nice person, and that’s about it, but he is from Iqaluit, which has everything, so he is not sensitive to smaller communities.
Just smile along PJ and don’t make any ripples. Photo Ops are the best thing going for you.
The next set of MLAs should select a premier who is from the have-nots.
He is from Grise Fiord.
Can’t get much more “have not” then that.
What make someone a Have-Not? is it that they Have-Not gotten an education? they Have-Not learned to read or write in any language? or is it only about that they Have-Not any savings because they can not work in an Office and make money. or is they they Have-Not got lots of family that keeps draining their money even if they do have the office job.
What makes a Have-Not and how would that be better for us if they were our leader?
Yay! I’m happy PJ is staying in as Premier
ATTEMPTED COUP D ETAT
Time to go. Please?
Maybe you can attend a real school and learn basic political Science and leave the game to the real Big Dogs.
You people have no guts to put your real names on here🥸 grow up and stop with all your stupid Jealousy 😒
Let’s see you run in the next election you academic keyboard warrior. Let see if you can do half the work he does.
“Basic political science” doesn’t seem to be an issue for him if he just survived a no-confidence motion and is still premier…
.
How can they be the big dogs who know better if they failed against someone who doesn’t know “basic political science”?
.
You’re talking like they are big huskies, but they are really just scrappy little specials!
Jealousy assit to you innukamaks. PJ, keep up the good work and watch your back and never trust tainarulu that tried to get you out.
To your comment on Tainarrulu
Solomon is the chair of regular caucus so he was not alone to make the decision. The regular caucus discussed this and so he is in the position to make the motion. We are proud of him. He did his job. There may be issues with PJ’s leadership and running the government, that the public doesn’t know about.
That is dissatisfaction 10-8. There is something wrong with this government.
I’m a little confused here, can some smart people help me? I always thought he has a done a great job, look at what his changed, what changes in Gov’t have been made to try a make Nunavut run more smoothly, picked good leaders for cabinet, that know what they are talking about most of the time, compare to when you got a Janitor to be a head of something right? But why do you inuit have such bad lines that he doesn’t do anything? just for pictures? when the guy clearly does more behind closed doors for Nunavut then the “ole boys club”
2.5 year too late.
He doesn’t seem to be speaking for his riding anymore. His government is building a mega Elders center in Iqaluit where he’s lived for some years. So his elders will be going down to Iqaluit to die without family
It’s not feasible to build an elders’ centre in every community, so Iqaluit is a good choice because of transportation and services. You can’t please everyone.
Why did Brewster seemingly speak in favour of the motion but then vote against it? I hope she and our other representatives will be more clear about what happened here today.
Also interesting timing to put forward this motion when two MLA’s and a Minister are unable to vote.
Thanks Nunatsiaq for updating the article – provided some information I was hoping for.
She did the right thing. Why would she vote to get a leader of the same community that she represents out of power. Only George would. He don’t represnt us Iqalumiu. He represents Kivalliq.
PJ has done some great work in his term so far and I hope our government will continue to serve the needs of Nunavunmuit. We are still a very young territory and are still growing.
Do you know where EIA , a department who doesn’t have a capital budget just ordered wrong kinds of elder vans with a company from Yukon and send them to some communities? No process , no NNI policy being followed , no tender ? Nothing
It’s because Pj doesn’t know how a government works. He’s never even been a Hamlet Councillor. He just lucked out bring a premier.
He’s never had a real job before either.
He doesn’t know how anything works.
Hence the constant focus on fluffy announcements and photo-ops.
Why blame the premier? It’s Joanasie who is the minister of GS? P.J. has done more work than Joe Saviqataaq ever did. Time to man up and step up to the ones that tried to oust P.J. and start using your communication skills to the premier instead of trying to oust him. P.J. keep moving forward and keep doing the great job you are doing. There will always be people that would rather complain instead of getting the job done and this unfortunate situation was the case. Keep it up PJ! We are rooting for you!
Guffawing so hard on Nunavut political crap. Nuthin’ but a tax waste of money farce.
Pauline , Solomon is a Chair of regular Caucus so he speaks for them . He didn’t do it alone. It’s his responsibility to do what the majority rule. He had enough guts to take all the blame , there’s a lot of us who stand with him as a caucus chair. What’s disappointing is that two ladies showed their weakness by not showing up. So now we know those ladies cannot be leaders as they buckle under stress.
Premier Akeeagok; Don’t forget the Inuit business community as well, the GN has been too focused on their relationship with Inuit orgs and Inuit Development Corps. Small and medium businesses in Nunavut matter as well and employ thousands of Inuit.. The forgotten people eventually will be waves.
Kugluktuk appears to have been persuaded by Ministers P&P, and the family is now getting its way once more. The beginning of the end is near!
This MLA doesn’t seem to understand that he’s elected to represent the people of Kugluktuk he thinks he’s government. There happy to have him there to be there puppet. Never once have a community meeting or ask constituents like Adam L does.
Bobby, you are a brave politician to be voting againts the bullies of the legislature.
Like others, I listened to what was said. If there are problems with the government, then speak up. The MLAs that wanted to pass this motion did not communicate their point very well. Like, what was the point of this and what are issues?
MLAs, are you going to speak up and actually say what the issues are with this government? Was it bullying? favouritism? If not, please make an effort and act in a better conduct. Cause this is the time to work. What it seems like, some regular MLAs are just trying to disrupt this government.
It seemed like the regular MLAs are the ones holding this government back. Maybe it’s time for some of the regular MLAs to resign. It’s just a thought.
Ms Brewster, I respect your role and what you do. Today, you sounded like a victim or manipulated or was given wrong information. I respect how hard it was to speak however, you implied that the Premier broke the rules. if this is true what rules did he break? Please, share.
Mr Mailliki, based on what you said, I’m still not clear what the message you were trying to say. Please communicate in a way that the message comes across clearly. Today, that did not happen.
I echo many other comments that have been said but it’s time to work on the working relationship, acknowledge and listen to the fact that these jobs are hard and get back to work.
Nunavut deserve a leader who will actually do something about the laughable high school graduation rate, the incompetent work force, the disgraceful lack of accountability, the teenage pregnancy crisis and the fatherless children, the cigarette and alcohol and gambling issues, the free housing, and the endless stream of free government money doing nothing but make people weak and reliance on government checks.
That’s right. Please have a premier that actually makes everyone gets employment and out of income support. We need new beds that cost almost single persons whole income support, and that income support is only for buying food for the whole month. Educated individuals are not even employed at all, and trying to take care of elderly parents with only receiving income support and buying toilet paper for the whole house, buying house fuel, and buying food for the whole house.
Change that leadership man, enough is enough. They need real work and have premier that takes their job seriously and make everyone gets enough so they can support all those in their families.
Some are not even in their homes. It’ll be hard for individuals who call Nunavut home for them to find employment. They’re not even in their homes.
Climate change is just playing with the weather today. Weather changes rapidly and unexpectedly. Hope they fix climate change and have more cultural knowledge and bring them to our territory.
Grise is a nice place and th people are as well.
However for the size of Grise the Elders facility would be called a 4 bedroom house. and if they build Mega elders facility there those that are from other communities would have to go there and there is not Hospital near by when they need it. so they would still end up in Iqaluit. At least Iqaluit is not as far as Ottawa. like it is done Now.
They can’t even keep the woman’s shelters open due to no staff and now they want Elder care centers? 🤣
It’s basic human right not to be moved our of your community when you don’t want to move. Canada did that already with Residential schools. Elder need respect and should not be forced to move any where for the last years. Two bedroom for Grise for 24 hours care would be sufficient. It’s time the Government start respecting Elders and making sure they are well taken care of in their communities.
This is a tricky issue. It’s one thing not to force people to move – people are free to simply live their last days at home. The hard part is providing quality care to people with deteriorating health and evolving needs.
In the rest of the country, elders who live in a town with a population around 1000 or less will often relocate to a larger urban area to receive better care. This just looks much different in Nunavut, where cities and hamlets aren’t connected by road.
A two bed elders home would require not just the building space, but also staff, including nurses, to work around the clock, and more staff to fill in while others are sick or on holidays. Elders often need access to doctors, so medical travel might end up being necessary. Grouping people with specific needs together allows for economies of scale and that could lead to better care, if that’s what the person wants.
you are right no one should be forced to leave there home. However unfortunately the reality is that there is not enough money to pay others to move to everywhere people get old so they can stay in their community or in their home.
When you get old and need help you can refuse to leave. just prepare your family that you are their responsibility and also understand you might not live as long.
Too bad! Janet is correct to say PJ has no experience when it comes to Government policy and procedures. One year left!
Hamlet councilors are important… however being on Council does not make someone knowledgeable about running a govt. Look across the territory and you will see how many difunctional hamlet councilors there are that only do it for the little pay they do get.
For every good member there are atleast 3-4 others that hold everything back.
The issues with this current government is NO accountability where infrastructures sit or listed. The small Municipalities are certainly neglected –
– INFRASTRUCTURE’s
– GN JOB OPPORTUNITIES (none exists)
– EDUCATION (no Academic Program’s)
– HOUSING
The Cabinet Minister’s are not meeting their mandates where infrastructures sits in small Municipalities across this Territory. If regular MLA raised an issue where the INFRASTRUCTURE is at NOW, which was conducted by Territorial Government previous years (approx. 30 years ago). The Cabinet Minister will NOT able to find in its’ TEXT BOOK. The reason being is small remote Municipalities are NOT priority across this Territory except Iqaluit an its little bubble!
No comment from Malliki. I guess the motion wasn’t that important. On another note, Malliki’s constituents are complaining that their MLA isn’t transparent. Oh the irony
The MLA has more pressing work then to dwell on past efforts. He has been firm that his two smaller communities deserve to be provided with employment opportunities too and this government has done nothing.
Wow 49 comments, does that mean, we’ll have 49 people for MLA next round?
wish I was from Nunavut just to say I voted for the wrong guy, and complain about it for the nest 10 years,
PJ next election landslide, and premier , thanks ,
Akeeagok is a very, very weak “leader”. It’s a shame that he wasn’t ousted.
Photo op is all we know him by. He touts the daycare stuff like it was his government thing when it is a federal program. It will be nice when a real leader takes the helm again and get Nunavut on the national radar again.
George and Joe , you always work to oust the premier yet you don’t have enough confidence to get up and state your reasons why you support the motion. Spineless cowards is what you both are. What bothers you more, the decrease in pay to become a regular MLA or the fact that you have Ministers in place that have done more in less than half of the time that you both were ministers? Everyone and every government will be susceptible to opinions and some of what was said about this current government is relative. Not much was said about either of you as when you do nothing as minters or as a premier, I guess there isn’t much to say. I cannot believe how cowardly you both are to focus on setting Nunavut back by pushing your own agendas. Don’t agree with me that’s fine but stop acting like clowns and stand up to state your reasons.
Do you have a really big band aid to toss on climate change so we can fix it?
Joe and George. Accept the fact that this Government has done more then you want. Put your ego’s aside and start working for Nunavut and not yourself. You guys let everyone do all The dirty work for your own agenda. Work to oust the premier yet you don’t have the courage to get up and speak why you support the motion. Cowards.