Seven new mayors elected in Nunavut

It was a squeaker, but thanks to a 28-vote margin, Rankin Inlet has a new mayor.

Lorne Kusugak, the CEO of the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee and past executive director of the Kivalliq Inuit Association in Rankin Inlet, beat out incumbent Jack Kabvitok in one of many municipal elections held around the territory on Dec. 9.

Kusugak said the close finish didn’t surprise him.

“He’s always been a popular man,” he said of Kabvitok. “I knew that going into it that it was going to be close and I thought it would be even closer. He’s a good man and a very popular member of our community.”

Kusugak was at home playing pool when the election results came in between 9:30 and 10 p.m. He said he “Couldn’t begin,” to describe what went through his mind when he heard he had won.

“But I was happy.”

Scheduled to be sworn in early next month, Kusugak said the first thing on his agenda will be to sit down with the Nunavut government to talk about its proposal to move the petroleum products division and its jobs from Rankin to Baker Lake.

“We’ve got to sit down with the GN to talk about the pros and cons of doing it and try to come to the conclusion that they will not transfer them,” he said. He said he’s neither optimistic nor pessimistic and has to talk to the current council and mayor to see where they are in the process.

He is also set to tackle the problem of unemployment in his community.

“Mainly working towards gaining more employment in our community and working with the business community,” he said of plans for the new council. “We have a great business community and I think we could do more together. We’ll see what happens.”

New mayors were elected in three other communities in the Kivalliq region. In Baker Lake, Joseph Niego beat incumbent Jacob Ikinilik in another close race. Niego was elected by 12 votes.

Arviat voted incumbent David Alagalak out of office, supporting Peter Kritaqliluk by a margin of 301 votes to 180.

In Repulse Bay Steve Mapsalak was elected by 20 and 25 votes over Steven Kopak and Donat Milortok respectively.

In the Kitikmeot region, two communities elected new mayors.

The community of Gjoa Haven voted in Peter Akkikungnaq by a victory of 165 votes and ousted incumbent Joseph Aglukkaq, who is facing sexual assault charges in March.

Kugaaruk elected Canute Krejunark over incumbent Raymond Kayaksark.

In the Baffin Region Hall Beach is the only community that will see a new mayor sworn in. Mayor Levi Kaunak did not run for re-election, leaving the race to Jopie Kaernerk and Jayson Ikeperiar. Kaernerk was elected by 18 votes.

In Igloolik incumbent Elijah Evaluajuk beat Paul Haulli by 179 votes and Pangnirtung’s incumbent Hezakiah Oshutapik won out over Manasa Evic by 62 votes.

Sanikiluaq’s incumbent Annie Amitook beat out candidates Joe Arragutainaq and Johnny Tookalook by 11 and 51 votes respectively.