2025 Nunavut general election

2025 Nunavut general election

October 27, 2025

22 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Turnout37% (12.9%pp)

Premier before election

P.J. Akeeagok

Premier after election

John Main

The 2025 Nunavut general election was held on October 27, 2025, to return the members of the 7th Nunavut Legislature. Since the adoption of a fixed election date law in 2014,[1] general elections in Nunavut are held in the last Monday of October in the fourth calendar year following the last elections.[2] The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut was dissolved by the commissioner of Nunavut on September 22.

The election recorded a voter turnout of 37%, the lowest in territorial history.[3][4]

Background

Unlike most legislatures in Canada, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut operates on a non-partisan consensus government model. Candidates in territorial elections run as independents rather than being nominated by political parties. The premier and executive council are then selected internally by the MLAs at the first special sitting of the new legislative session. The election will be held using single-member districts, and successful candidates will be determined through the first past the post system.

New electoral boundaries were introduced in this election.[5]

In July 2025, incumbent Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced he would not seek re-election.[6] The deadline for candidate registration was September 26, 2025. 2 seats saw their MLAs acclaimed.[7] Issues in the election included housing and the rising cost-of-living.[8]

Incumbents not standing for re-election

Member of the Legislative Assembly Electoral District Date announced
P.J. Akeeagok[6] Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu July 8, 2025
Tony Akoak[9] Gjoa Haven September 19, 2025
Joelie Kaernerk[9] Amittuq September 19, 2025
Lorne Kusugak[9] Rankin Inlet South September 19, 2025
Margaret Nakashuk[9] Pangnirtung September 19, 2025
Karen Nutarak[9] Tununiq September 19, 2025
Joe Savikataaq[9] Arviat South September 19, 2025

Candidates by district

(X) indicates the incumbent

Candidates in italics have been elected. Joanna Quassa, Johnny Mike, and Steven Taqtu all received a majority of less than 2 per cent over the next candidate triggering an automatic judicial recount.[10][11] Mike and Taqtu were elected, while Quassa's seat became tied, triggering a by-election in Aggu.[12]

Candidate Vote %
Joanna Quassa (X) 105 50
Erasmus Ivvalu 105 50
Blank/invalid 8
Total 218 100
Registered/turnout 535 40.75
Candidate Vote %
Hannah Angootealuk 293 66.3
Solomon Malliki (X) 149 33.7
Blank/invalid 7
Total 469 100
Registered/turnout 963 48.70
Candidate Vote %
Abraham Qammaniq 148 41.1
Reena Irqittuq 80 22.2
Paul Haulli 74 20.6
Roger Beaudry 58 16.1
Blank/invalid 1
Total 361 100
Registered/turnout 662 54.53
Candidate Vote %
John Main (X) 229 57
Tony Uluadluak 173 43
Blank/invalid 3
Total 405 100
Registered/turnout 817 49.57
Candidate Vote %
Jamie Kablutsiak 256 68.1
Alana Kuksuk 120 31.9
Blank/invalid 1
Total 376 100
Registered/turnout 710 52.96
Candidate Vote %
Craig Atangalaaq Simailak (X) 268 52.5
Simeon Mikkungwak 242 47.5
Blank/invalid 2
Total 512 100
Registered/turnout 1057 48.44
Candidate Vote %
Fred Pedersen 330 55
Pamela Hakongak Gross (X) 176 29.3
Peter Ohokak 94 15.7
Blank/invalid 5
Total 605 100
Registered/turnout 1046 57.84
Candidate Vote %
David Porter 132 36
Meghan Porter 124 33.8
Agoakteak Gregory Nahaglulik 51 13.9
David Akoak 49 13.4
Sonny Porter 11 3
Blank/invalid 2
Total 369 100
Registered/turnout 697 52.94
Candidate Result
Daniel Qavvik (X) Acclaimed
Candidate Vote %
Gwen Healey Akearok 245 63.3
Adam Lightstone (X) 142 36.7
Blank/invalid 12
Total 399 100
Registered/turnout 1065 37.46
Candidate Vote %
David Akeeagok[a] 270 52.9
Tatanniq Lucie Idlout 124 24.3
Jacopoosie Peter 73 14.3
Walter Picco 43 8.4
Blank/invalid 24
Total 534 100
Registered/turnout 1180 45.25
Candidate Vote %
Janet Brewster (X) 175 53.8
Robin Anawak 150 46.2
Blank/invalid 0
Total 325 100
Registered/turnout 1000 32.5
Candidate Vote %
George Hickes (X) 354 71.7
Malaiya Lucassie 140 28.3
Blank/invalid 5
Total 499 100
Registered/turnout 1088 45.86
Candidate Vote %
Simon Kuliktana 218 60.7
Stanley Anablak 93 25.9
Bobby Anavilok (X) 48 13.4
Blank/invalid 2
Total 361 100
Registered/turnout 775 46.58
Candidate Vote %
Cecile Nelvana Lyall 294 46.7
Emiliano Qirngnuq 253 40.2
Joseph Inagayuk Quqqiaq (X) 63 10
Johnny Qilluniq 20 3.2
Mary Anaumiq Neeveacheak 0 0
Blank/invalid 1
Total 633 100
Registered/turnout 962 65.80
Candidate Vote %
Johnny Mike 127 36.7
Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk 123 35.5
Andrew Nakashuk 92 26.6
Blank/invalid 4
Total 346 100
Registered/turnout 744 46.51
Candidate Vote %
Steven Taqtu 121 47.8
Philip Kalluk 107 42.3
Andrew Taqtu 20 7.9
Blank/invalid 5
Total 253 100
Registered/turnout 589 42.95
Candidate Vote %
Alexander Sammurtok (X) 156 52.2
Cathy Towtongie 143 47.8
Blank/invalid 5
Total 304 100
Registered/turnout 788 38.58
Candidate Vote %
Annie Tattuinee 183 58.8
Gerry Anawak 70 22.5
Tagak Curley 58 18.6
Blank/invalid 1
Total 312 100
Registered/turnout 724 43.09
Candidate Result
David Joanasie (X) Acclaimed
Candidate Vote %
Brian Koonoo 194 50.9
Verna Strickland 109 28.6
David Qamaniq 78 20.5
Blank/invalid 3
Total 384 48.48
Registered/turnout 792
Candidate Vote %
Gordon Kautuk 402 75.3
Mary Killiktee (X) 132 24.7
Blank/invalid 6
Total 540 100
Registered/turnout 869 62.14

Aftermath

Two ridings acclaimed their MLA, since only one candidate registered: Daniel Qavvik in Hudson Bay and David Joanasie in South Baffin, both incumbents.

Three ridings faced judicial recounts,[14] because the difference between the first and second-place finishers was less than 2% of the votes cast:[2] Aggu, where incumbent Joanna Quassa had an initial count of 106 votes to Erasmus Ivvalu's 103; Pangnirtung, where former MLA Johnny Mike had 125 votes to Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk's 122; and Quttiktuq, where Steven Taqtu had 113 votes to Philip Kalluk's 109.

In the election, 13 out of the 22 seats in the legislature elected new MLAs. Given that the territory operates on a consensus government system, MLAs elected on October 27 chose the new premier, cabinet, and speaker in the first session of the 7th Assembly on November 18.[15] David Joanasie was elected speaker and John Main was elected premier, defeating David Akeeagok.[16]

Results

Reelection statistics
Seats Did not run Defeated Reelected
Cabinet 9 3 2 3
Opposition[17] 13 4 4 5
All MLAs 22 7 6 8

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Akeeagok has been the MLA for Quttiktuq since 2017, but is switiching districts to Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Nunavut MLAs opt for fixed election dates, code of conduct" Archived 2018-02-12 at the Wayback Machine. Nunatsiaq News, February 24, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Nunavut Elections Act" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  3. ^ Taylor, Juanita (October 31, 2025). "Nunavut election saw one of the lowest voter turnouts in territory's history". CBC.
  4. ^ Murray, Nick. "Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok survives confidence vote after effort to oust him". www.msn.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Future Constituency Boundaries After September 21, 2025" (PDF).
  6. ^ a b Akeeagok, PJ. (July 8, 2025). "A Message to the People of Nunavut". Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  7. ^ Wat, Samuel (September 26, 2025). "Here's who's running in the 2025 Nunavut territorial election". CBC.
  8. ^ Housing crisis, cost of living fuelling Nunavut voter apathy. CBC. October 26, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Speaker, finance minister, former premier among Nunavut MLAs who say farewell". September 21, 2025.
  10. ^ "2025 Territorial General Election Pangnirtung". Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "2025 Territorial General Election Quttiktuq". Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  12. ^ "2025 Territorial General Election Aggu". Retrieved November 10, 2025. Tie vote – New Election required (see s. 149(2) of the Act)
  13. ^ "Cabinet minister David Akeeagok to switch ridings, run in Iqaluit". September 8, 2025.
  14. ^ Wat, Samuel; Tranter, Emma (October 27, 2025). "See the latest election results in Nunavut — 3 recounts called in tight races". CBC. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  15. ^ Why did Nunavut's election results take so long?. CBC. October 28, 2025.
  16. ^ "John Main is Nunavut's next premier".
  17. ^ "Nunavut's next premier and cabinet to be chosen Tuesday".