Three tense legislature days as confidence vote loomed

Jeff Pelletier (File photo)

Covering politics is one of my favourite parts of this job, especially at the Nunavut legislative assembly.

I follow with great interest the issues that regular MLAs speak on, what questions they ask, and what answers they get from Premier P.J. Akeeagok and cabinet.

Heading into Nov. 4 felt like any other legislature day.

At least, until item 14 on the agenda — notices of motions — came up.

Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki rose to inform the house that on Nov. 6 he would table a motion to remove Akeeagok as premier.

We were taken aback in the media box. All of a sudden, our story filing plans changed. We needed to hear from Malliki about why he wanted to oust the premier, and to hear Akeeagok’s reaction to a looming challenge of his leadership.

Both men took questions. Malliki accused Akeeagok of not providing transparency. Akeeagok said he has been transparent, and touted his government’s accomplishments.

With the quotes I needed, it was time to file.

Unfortunately for me, the legislative assembly internet and my cell data were slow. But I was still able to call my editor and dictate a story to him over the phone. It was a throwback to a time before cellphones and Wi-Fi, when reporters sometimes called their editors from pay phones to dictate a breaking news story.

After my story was published, I headed into Nov. 5 with this upcoming leadership challenge story at the top of my mind — so much so that I found myself barely looking at news about the U.S. presidential election, also happening that day.

I wrote another story based on a question I asked every MLA about how they planned to vote on Malliki’s motion the next day. I sent emails to each MLA, but only two responded.

I also stood at the door to the chamber and asked, “Any thoughts about tomorrow’s vote?” to as many MLAs as I could as they entered for that day’s sitting. I was mostly ignored or told “no comment.”

Malliki said he was still determined in his position. Akeeagok, in a more softened tone than I’m used to hearing from him, told me he was proud of his record as premier.

Then came Nov. 6. I had no idea how things were about to unfold. There were more reporters on site than usual, ready for whatever was next.

At 1:30 p.m., it was show time.

I quickly wrote quotes as members spoke to Malliki’s motion. In my notebook, I kept score on how members were speaking: favourable of the premier, unfavourable, or unclear.

In the end, the motion was defeated 10-8. Akeeagok survived. A united cabinet was joined by three regular MLAs who voted to keep the premier in office.

Accompanied by his family, Akeeagok told reporters he was “thankful” to have survived the day. His tone was one of relief. Malliki did not comment.

Tensions cooled the next day, as MLAs united to pay tribute to retiring clerk John Quirke.

I have been lucky to cover several important stories this year. I witnessed history as the Nunavut devolution agreement was signed in January, I was in the courtroom in February when Karima Manji pleaded guilty to defrauding Inuit organizations, and other times throughout the year I found myself driving from one end of Iqaluit to another to witness emergencies the fire department or RCMP were responding to.

Overall, though, Nunavut politics fascinates me most. That’s why a three-day political showdown was the story I most loved to tell in 2024.