Nunavut’s municipal elections are approaching

With municipal elections across Nunavut approaching on Oct. 28, those interested in running for mayor or municipal councillor positions can file declarations of candidacy beginning on Sept. 23.

This is the first time that the territory’s municipal elections will be held at the same time. Previously, the Iqaluit municipal election occurred in October, while hamlet councils held theirs in early December, in staggered elections.

As well, municipal politicians elected this year will serve four-year terms, longer than the three-year terms of the past.

Prospective candidates must register with Elections Nunavut and may run for mayor or councillor positions, but not for both at the same time.

According to Elections Nunavut, typically those who can vote are also eligible to become candidates. To vote, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen

• 18 years or older

• A resident of the community where you intend to vote

• A Nunavut resident

However, there are some exceptions. You cannot be a candidate for mayor or municipal council if you are:

• A judge or justice of the peace (unless you have obtained leave)

• An MLA or a member of Parliament,

• An employee of the municipality who is not on approved leave

• An election officer (including employees of Elections Nunavut),

• In prison or a correctional institution

• Convicted under any election act within the past 5 years

• Found to be noncompliant with financial reporting from an MLA election within the past five years: the list of noncompliant candidates and financial agents can be found here

• Found by the court to not be able to make decisions for yourself

• A sheriff

• An auditor or assessor of the municipality

• A surety for an employee of the municipality (if you take responsibility for a municipal employee’s debts, actions, or performance)

• In debt to the municipality for $500 or more for more than 90 days

• A person who has controlling interests in a company that is in debt to the municipality for $500 or for more than 90 days

• A person who has not paid all municipal taxes in the year they were billed

Local returning officers will accept applications until 2 p.m. on Sept 27. 

Those wishing to withdraw their application can do so until 5 p.m., also on Sept 27.

Also, those who wish to run for seven-member district education authorities or for the five-member Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut, or CFSN, may also submit declarations of candidacy starting Sept. 23.

For more information, prospective candidates can visit the Elections Nunavut website, where they can access declaration forms and view a guide for candidates.