Nunavut’s MLAs hold one-day sitting to amend Elections Act

Nunavummiut working in the territory’s public service no longer need to take a leave of absence when running for mayor, councillor or a district education authority seat.

The legislative assembly unanimously passed Bill 28, an amendment to the Nunavut Elections Act, in a one-day sitting on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

The assembly was recalled due to a “technical issue” that required an amendment to put clear rules in place for employees of the territorial public service wanting to file for candidacy.

That technical issue has to do with subsections 224.5, paragraph 11.2 (e), and 224.6, paragraph 11.2 (e) of the Nunavut Elections Act.

Section 224.5 states a person running for municipal election is disqualified if, “on the day the person files his or her declaration of candidacy, the person … is employed in the public service and is not on leave under section 33 of the Public Service Act.”

Section 224.6 puts the same restriction on public servants running to be members of a district education authority.

Section 33 of the Public Service Act states that a public servant filing for candidacy in a federal, territorial or municipal election must obtain a leave of absence.

The amendment passed on Sept. 17 would add another line that states the section does not apply to elections for city councillors, mayors and district education authority seats.

In a matter of 20 minutes, the bill was passed through first, second and third reading. It will next receive written royal assent from Nunavut Commissioner Nellie Kusugak, who is currently away on official business, said the legislature’s Speaker, Simeon Mikkungwak.

“The bill before the House today clarifies that an employee of the territorial public service will not be required to take a leave of absence in order to be a candidate in the upcoming local elections,” Mikkungwak said.

“Given that such a requirement would be [an] unreasonable barrier to participation, however, the appropriate requirements concerning notice and permission would remain in place in the government’s human resources manual.”

Justice Minister Jeannie Hakongak Ehaloak also introduced Bill 29, which amends the Labour Standards Act to make July 9, Nunavut Day, a general holiday.

Right now, Nunavut Day is a holiday for public service employees.

The bill successfully passed through first and second reading and will now be sent to the assembly’s committee of the whole.

Municipal elections will be held across the territory on Oct. 28.

The fall sitting of the legislature will start on Oct. 17.