John Main (politician)
John Main | |
|---|---|
| 7th Premier of Nunavut | |
| Assumed office November 20, 2025 | |
| Deputy | |
| Commissioner | |
| Preceded by | P.J. Akeeagok |
| Minister of Finance | |
| Assumed office November 20, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Adam Lightstone |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Arviat North-Whale Cove | |
| Assumed office October 30, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | George Kuksuk |
| Minister of Health and Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention and the Qulliq Energy Corporation | |
| In office November 19, 2021 – November 20, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Monica Ell-Kanayuk |
| Succeeded by | Janet Brewster (Health) Gwen Healey Akearok (Qulliq Energy Corporation) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 7, 1980[1][2] |
| Party | Independent |
| Spouse | Amanda Hanson |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Arviat, Nunavut |
| Education | Mount Allison University (BEc) |
John Main (born March 7, 1980) is a Canadian politician who has served as the seventh premier of Nunavut since 2025. He is the first non-Inuk to serve as premier.[3] He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2017 Nunavut general election,[4] and represents the electoral district of Arviat North-Whale Cove.[5]
Early life and career
John Main was raised in Arviat, Nunavut. In 2002, he graduated from Mount Allison University with a degree in economics.
Prior to entering politics, he worked as a television reporter for the CBC News' northern bureau, as an economic development officer with the Municipality of Arviat, and as a regional business officer with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. He is a past president of the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the board of directors of the Nunavut Development Corporation.[6]
Political career
Main was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2017, defeating incumbent MLA George Kuksuk. After being acclaimed to a second term in 2021, he was appointed Minister of Health and Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention and the Qulliq Energy Corporation in P.J. Akeeagok's Cabinet. Main was re-elected in the 2025 Nunavut general election, defeating Tony Uluadluak. In the 2025 leadership forum, he was elected as Premier by the Legislative Assembly, defeating David Akeeagok.[7][8] As premier, Main also serves as the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs.[9]
Personal life
He is married with three children. Main speaks fluent English and Inuktitut.[10]
Electoral history
2025 election
| 2025 Nunavut general election | |||
| Name | Vote | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Main | 229 | 57% | |
| Tony Uluadluak | 173 | 43% | |
| Total Ballots | 405 | 100% | |
| Voter Turnout 49.57% | Rejected Ballots 3 | ||
2021 election
| 2021 Nunavut general election[11] | |||
| Name | Vote | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Main | Acclaimed | ||
2017 election
| 2017 Nunavut general election | |||
| [12] | Name | Vote | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Main | 408 | 78.0% | |
| George Kuksuk | 115 | 22.0% | |
| Total Valid Ballots | 523 | 100% | |
| Voter Turnout 78.06% | Rejected Ballots 0 | ||
References
- ^ https://www.nunavutnews.com/nunavut-election/arviat-north-whale-cove-nunavut-election-2017-candidate-profiles-7275501 (age 37 in October 2017)
- ^ https://www.assembly.nu.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/20230307_Hansard.pdf (birthday on March 7)
- ^ Rogers, Sarah (10 October 2017). "Political newcomer wants to help Nunavut residents get back to the classroom". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Voters cast ballots in Nunavut election". Canadian Press via CTV News, October 31, 2017.
- ^ https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/john-main-selected-as-nunavuts-premier-marking-territorys-first-non-inuk-leader/
- ^ https://www.assembly.nu.ca/node/6485
- ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavut-leadership-forum-2025-9.6981851
- ^ https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/john-main-emerges-as-nunavuts-new-premier/
- ^ https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/newsroom/premier-main-announces-cabinet-portfolios-2025-11-20
- ^ "The Honourable John Main". assembly.nu.ca. Nunavut Assembly. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "2021 General Election Results" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ 2017 General Election Official Results at Elections Nunavut