Nunavut general election, 2008
Encyclopedia
The Third Nunavut General Election took place on October 27, 2008 to return members to the 3rd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
. The election was contested across 15 of Nunavut's 19 electoral districts under the first past the post
system of voting. Due to local circumstances, the election was delayed in two districts, and two districts did not hold elections as their incumbent MLAs faced no opposition and were acclaimed
back into office.
Ten of the 15 seats for which there were elections on October 27 went to first-time MLA
s. Four of the ten new MLAs defeated incumbents who were running for re-election, while six succeeded former MLAs who retired from the legislature. Premier Paul Okalik
and Finance Minister Louis Tapardjuk
were the only two cabinet ministers to keep their seats.
The political system in Nunavut is not organized along political party
lines, but instead uses a consensus government
model in which the Executive Council of Nunavut
is selected by the members of the Legislative Assembly at the Nunavut Leadership Forum. At the 2008 forum, held on November 14, 2008, Eva Aariak was selected as the new Premier of Nunavut
.
Paul Okalik
on March 14, 2008. The writ
period under Nunavut
law may last as long as thirty five days, so the earliest date the election could have begun was September 22, 2008. Prior to the official announcement the election had been widely speculated going back to late 2007, as the Premier had been openly talking about going to the polls.
. This is a rare occurrence as elections on the federal and provincial, territorial level in Canada are usually timed to avoid such occurrences.
The last example of a concurrent federal and provincial election was the 1940 Alberta general election
and the 1940 Canadian federal election
. The voting date for those two elections was only five days apart.
, announced at a press conference on June 4, 2008 that Nunavut will begin voting on October 13, 2008 with special ballots being made available at returning officers. Provisions are also being established to allow paperless voting by radio and satellite phone from very remote locations. On October 20, 2008 Elections Nunavut will conduct mobile polling visiting the homes of elders and people confined to their homes by disability or house arrest. Absentee ballot
s for students and inmates living or incarcerated outside of the territory will be made available by registration beginning on September 22, 2008. Official advanced polling
will take place on October 20, 2008.
A big pre-election issue in the capital city of Iqaluit developed over Inuksuk High School
. The government has been debating whether to build a new high school or do a complete renovation on the existing building.
to muse about coming out of retirement for another term if no one else wanted to step forward. Four new candidates came forward to file nomination papers by the new nomination deadline on October 3, 2008.
attempted to file nomination papers to run for election in the electoral district of Akulliq. Chief Electoral Officer Sandy Kusugak ruled that Anawak was not eligible to run for office as he had a mailing address outside of Nunavut. Anawak took Elections Nunavut to court. The judge however ruled in favour of the decision by Kusugak that Anawak had not met the twelve month resident requirement, but under the Elections Act Kusugak was required to cancel the election.
Although the judge ruled in favour of Kusugak's disqualification under the residency rule, Anawak's constitutional challenge was allowed to go ahead. Anawak had argued that the one year residency rule was in violation of his charter rights. However, judge Johnson ruled that the rule did not discriminate against Anawak as an Inuk
. The election was rescheduled for December 15, with nominations being open until November 14.
All of the original candidates, with the exception of Anawak, refiled for the by-election, as did one new candidate, Helena Malliki.
In the initial results, former MLA John Ningark
defeated incumbent MLA Steve Mapsalak
by a margin of just two votes. A judicial recount was conducted, but resulted in Ningark and Mapsalak each receiving exactly 157 votes, thus forcing a second by-election. The revote was held on March 2, 2009, and Ningark won by a margin of 193 to 179 for Mapsalak.
3rd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
The 3rd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut began after the 2008 general election on October 27, 2008. The election returned 17 of the 19 non-partisan members with two deferred for other days. The last member returned in the general election in the Akulliq district on March 2, 2009.-Change of...
. The election was contested across 15 of Nunavut's 19 electoral districts under the first past the post
Plurality voting system
The plurality voting system is a single-winner voting system often used to elect executive officers or to elect members of a legislative assembly which is based on single-member constituencies...
system of voting. Due to local circumstances, the election was delayed in two districts, and two districts did not hold elections as their incumbent MLAs faced no opposition and were acclaimed
Acclamation
An acclamation, in its most common sense, is a form of election that does not use a ballot. "Acclamation" or "acclamatio" can also signify a kind of ritual greeting and expression of approval in certain social contexts in ancient Rome.-Voting:...
back into office.
Ten of the 15 seats for which there were elections on October 27 went to first-time MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
s. Four of the ten new MLAs defeated incumbents who were running for re-election, while six succeeded former MLAs who retired from the legislature. Premier Paul Okalik
Paul Okalik
Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory....
and Finance Minister Louis Tapardjuk
Louis Tapardjuk
Louis Tapardjuk in an igloo northwest of Igloolik, Nunavut) is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Amittuq having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election...
were the only two cabinet ministers to keep their seats.
The political system in Nunavut is not organized along political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
lines, but instead uses a consensus government
Consensus government
Consensus government is a form of consensus democracy government in Canada in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, as well as Nunatsiavut, an autonomous area in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
model in which the Executive Council of Nunavut
Executive Council of Nunavut
The Executive Council of Nunavut or cabinet includes a Premier and seven Ministers and is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly from among the Assembly members....
is selected by the members of the Legislative Assembly at the Nunavut Leadership Forum. At the 2008 forum, held on November 14, 2008, Eva Aariak was selected as the new Premier of Nunavut
Premier of Nunavut
The Premier of Nunavut is the first minister for the Canadian territory of Nunavut. They are the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although their powers are considerably smaller than that of a provincial premier....
.
Pre-election
The election was proposed by PremierPremier of Nunavut
The Premier of Nunavut is the first minister for the Canadian territory of Nunavut. They are the territory's head of government and de facto chief executive, although their powers are considerably smaller than that of a provincial premier....
Paul Okalik
Paul Okalik
Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory....
on March 14, 2008. The writ
Writ of election
A writ of election is a writ issued by the government ordering the holding of a special election for a political office.In the United Kingdom and in Canada, this is the only way of holding an election for the House of Commons...
period under Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
law may last as long as thirty five days, so the earliest date the election could have begun was September 22, 2008. Prior to the official announcement the election had been widely speculated going back to late 2007, as the Premier had been openly talking about going to the polls.
Federal election
A portion of the writ period occurred during the 2008 Canadian federal electionCanadian federal election, 2008
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by the Governor General on September 7, 2008...
. This is a rare occurrence as elections on the federal and provincial, territorial level in Canada are usually timed to avoid such occurrences.
The last example of a concurrent federal and provincial election was the 1940 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1940
The Alberta general election of 1940 was the ninth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada, was held on March 21, 1940 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
and the 1940 Canadian federal election
Canadian federal election, 1940
The Canadian federal election of 1940 was the 19th general election in Canadian history. It was held March 26, 1940 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 19th Parliament of Canada...
. The voting date for those two elections was only five days apart.
Election infrastructure
Sandy Kusugak, the chief electoral officer for Elections NunavutElections Nunavut
Elections Nunavut is an independent agency that oversees elections and plebiscites in Nunavut, including:* all general elections and by-elections for the 19 Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, according to the Nunavut Elections Act....
, announced at a press conference on June 4, 2008 that Nunavut will begin voting on October 13, 2008 with special ballots being made available at returning officers. Provisions are also being established to allow paperless voting by radio and satellite phone from very remote locations. On October 20, 2008 Elections Nunavut will conduct mobile polling visiting the homes of elders and people confined to their homes by disability or house arrest. Absentee ballot
Absentee ballot
An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable or unwilling to attend the official polling station. Numerous methods have been devised to facilitate this...
s for students and inmates living or incarcerated outside of the territory will be made available by registration beginning on September 22, 2008. Official advanced polling
Early voting
Early voting is the process by which electors can vote on a single or series of days prior to an election. Early voting can take place remotely, such as by mail, or in person, usually in designated early voting polling stations. The availability and time periods for early voting vary based on...
will take place on October 20, 2008.
Issues
Prior to the election in the last sitting of the Assembly, members debated tightening up eligibility requirements for preventing persons convicted of criminal offences. The MLAs decided not to change any of the election regulations.A big pre-election issue in the capital city of Iqaluit developed over Inuksuk High School
Inuksuk High School
Inuksuk High School is the high school of Iqaluit, the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. It offers grades 9 through 12 to a student population of about 450. The focus of the school is on teaching Inuit language and culture. The original name of the school was the Gordon Robertson...
. The government has been debating whether to build a new high school or do a complete renovation on the existing building.
Election summary
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | New | # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 5 | 10 | 4,183 | 51.9% | |
| Acclaimed candidates | 2 | - | |||
| Defeated candidates | 4 | 25 | 3,825 | 47.4% | |
| font style="font-size: 90%;">Vacancies at dissolution Dissolution of parliament In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election.Usually there is a maximum length of a legislature, and a dissolution must happen before the maximum time... |
2 | - | |||
| Totals | 46 | 8,067 | 100% | ||
| Voter Turnout 71.2% | font style="font-size: 90%;">Rejected Votes 59 (0.7%) | ||||
Election results
Nominations for candidates to file closed on September 26, 2008. There were two candidates acclaimed among the initial 46 candidates running. Both candidates acclaimed were seasoned incumbents. Tagak Curley was acclaimed to the riding of Rankin Inlet North for the second straight election. Incumbent Keith Peterson won his second term in office after his acclamation in the Cambridge Bay electoral district.| Results by district | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Winner | Second | Third | Fourth | Rejected ballots | Turnout | Incumbent | |
| Amittuq Amittuq Amittuq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Hall Beach and Igloolik.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Louis Tapardjuk.-1999 election:... |
Louis Tapardjuk Louis Tapardjuk Louis Tapardjuk in an igloo northwest of Igloolik, Nunavut) is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Amittuq having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election... 399, 63.5% |
Joanna Quassa 213, 33.9% |
16, 2.5% | 628, 59.2% | Louis Tapardjuk | |||
| Akulliq Akulliq Akulliq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay.-1999 election:-2004 election:-2008 election:... |
see below | |||||||
| Arviat Arviat (electoral district) Arviat is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada. The riding consists of the community of Arviat... |
Daniel Shewchuk Daniel Shewchuk Daniel Shewchuk is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Arviat in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election. In that election, he gained 48.4% of the vote, 22% more than his closest competitor... 310, 48.0% |
Sheila Napayok 169, 26.2% |
Peter Kritaqliluk 162, 25.1% |
5, 0.8% | 646, 59.2% | David Alagalak David Alagalak David Alagalak is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Arviat in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008.... |
||
| Baker Lake Baker Lake (electoral district) Baker Lake is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada. The riding consists of the community of Baker Lake. The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is David Simailak.... |
Moses Aupaluktuq Moses Aupaluktuq Moses Aupaluktuq is a territorial politician from Nunavut, Canada. He currently serves as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut since being first elected to office in 2008.-Political career:... 266, 41.0% |
David Simailak David Simailak David Simailak from Baker Lake was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Baker Lake having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election... 236, 36.4% |
Elijah Amarook 144, 22.2% |
3, 0.5% | 649, 67.1% | David Simailak | ||
| Cambridge Bay Cambridge Bay (electoral district) Cambridge Bay is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding, which consists of the communities of Bathurst Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Umingmaktok, came into existence for the first Nunavut general election... |
Keith Peterson Keith Peterson Alan Keith Peterson was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada and lives in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. He is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Cambridge Bay having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election.... acclaimed |
Keith Peterson | ||||||
| Hudson Bay Hudson Bay (electoral district) Hudson Bay is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Sanikiluaq.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Allan Rumbolt.-1999 election:-2004 election:... |
Allan Rumbolt Allan Rumbolt Allan Rumbolt is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Hudson Bay in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election.- Biography :... 152, 45.0% |
Johnny Manning 121, 35.8% |
Bill Fraser 65, 19.2% |
0, 0.0% | 338, 81.6% | Peter Kattuk Peter Kattuk Peter Kattuk is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Hudson Bay in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008.... |
||
| Iqaluit Centre Iqaluit Centre Iqaluit Centre is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Iqaluit.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Hunter Tootoo.-1999 election:-2004 election:... |
Hunter Tootoo Hunter Tootoo Hunter Tootoo is a politician in Nunavut, Canada. He is a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, and has also sought election to the Canadian House of Commons.... 356, 61.8% |
Madeleine Redfern Madeleine Redfern Madeleine Redfern is a Canadian Inuit politician, who was elected mayor of Iqaluit, Nunavut in a by-election on December 13, 2010. She was born in Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories .... 160, 27.8% |
Joe Sageaktook 57, 9.9% |
3, 0.5% | 576, 69.7% | Hunter Tootoo | ||
| Iqaluit East Iqaluit East Iqaluit East is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the easterly portions of Iqaluit and the community of Apex.... |
Eva Aariak 439, 62.5% |
Glenn Williams 221, 31.5% |
Kakki Peter 39, 5.6% |
3, 0.4% | 702, 73.3% | Ed Picco Ed Picco Edward "Ed" Walter Picco is a Canadian Nunavut politician first elected in the 1995 Northwest Territories election. He was re-elected in the 1999 Nunavut election and in the 2004 Nunavut election... |
||
| Iqaluit West Iqaluit West Iqaluit West is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Iqaluit.... |
Paul Okalik Paul Okalik Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory.... 340, 53.0% |
Elisapee Sheutiapik Elisapee Sheutiapik Elisapee Sheutiapik served as mayor of Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada. She won the mayoral election in 2003, defeating the incumbent mayor John Matthews by 40 votes, and was acclaimed to a second term in 2006... 296, 46.1% |
6, 0.9 | 642, 90.3 | Paul Okalik | |||
| Kugluktuk Kugluktuk (electoral district) Kugluktuk is the most western territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Kugluktuk in the Kitikmeot.... |
Peter Taptuna Peter Taptuna Peter Taptuna is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Kugluktuk in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election... 264, 59.5% |
Donald Havioyak Donald Havioyak Donald Havioyak is a territorial level politician in Canada. He served as a member of the Nunavut Legislature.Havioyak was elected to the Nunavut legislature in the 1999 Nunavut general election. He won the Kugluktuk electoral district with a plurality of six votes defeating three other candidates... 178, 40.1% |
2, 0.5% | 444, 68.2% | Vacant | |||
| Nanulik Nanulik Nanulik is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Johnny Ningeongan.... |
Johnny Ningeongan Johnny Ningeongan Johnny Ningeongan is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nanulik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election.... 214, 46.5% |
Patterk Netser Patterk Netser Patterk Netser is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nanulik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008.... 182, 39.6% |
Harry Tootoo 63, 13.7% |
1, 0.2% | 460, 86.3% | Patterk Netser | ||
| Nattilik Nattilik Nattilik is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.... |
Enuk Pauloosie Enuk Pauloosie Enuk Pauloosie was a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nattilik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election. His riding of Nattilik encompasses the communities of Gjoa Haven, Nunavut and Taloyoak,... 229, 34.3% |
Jeannie Ugyuk Jeannie Ugyuk Jeannie Ugyuk is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nattilik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2010 by-election. Her riding of Nattilik encompasses the communities of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, Nunavut... 197, 29.5% |
Louie Kamookak 192, 28.8% |
Paul Ikuallaq 45, 6.7% |
4, 0.6% | 667, 83.7% | Vacant | |
| Pangnirtung Pangnirtung (electoral district) Pangnirtung is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Pangnirtung.... |
Adamee Komoartok Adamee Komoartok Adamee Komoartok is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Pangnirtung in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election.... 245, 62.0% |
Looee Arreak 147, 37.2% |
3, 0.8% | 395, 54.8% | Peter Kilabuk Peter Kilabuk Peter Kilabuk is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Pangnirtung in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008.... |
|||
| Quttiktuq Quttiktuq Quttiktuq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord, Nanisivik and Resolute.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Ron Elliott.... |
Ron Elliot Ron Elliot Ron Elliott is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Quttiktuq in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election.-References:... 183, 51.0% |
Levi Barnabas Levi Barnabas Levi Barnabas is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in 1995 and served until Nunavut was created in 1999... 174, 48.5% |
2, 0.6% | 356, 63.9% | Levi Barnabas | |||
| Rankin Inlet North Rankin Inlet North Rankin Inlet North is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Rankin Inlet.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Tagak Curley.-1999 election:... |
Tagak Curley Tagak Curley Tagak Curley is an Inuit leader, politician and businessman from Nunavut. As a prominent figure in the negotiations that led to the creation of Nunavut, Tagak is considered a living father of confederation in Canada... acclaimed |
Tagak Curley | ||||||
| Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Lorne Kusugak.... |
Lorne Kusugak Lorne Kusugak Lorne Kusugak is a Canadian politician, who is Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for the electoral district of Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove, having won the seat in the 2008 Nunavut election. Prior to becoming an MLA, Kusugak was the mayor of Rankin Inlet... 329, 61.0% |
Levinia Brown Levinia Brown Levinia Brown is a Canadian politician, who served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008... 203, 37.7% |
7, 1.3% | 539, 63.9% | Levinia Brown | |||
| South Baffin South Baffin South Baffin is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Fred Schell.-1999 election:... |
see below | |||||||
| Tunnuniq Tunnuniq Tunnuniq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Pond Inlet.The riding was previously held by Member of the Legislative Assembly Jobie Nutarak.-History:... |
James Arvaluk James Arvaluk James Arvaluk is a politician from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995 and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2003... 239, 49.7% |
Simon Merkosak 171, 35.6% |
Elizirie Peterloosie 68, 14.1% |
3, 0.6% | 481, 70.8% | James Arvaluk | ||
| Uqqummiut Uqqummiut Uqqummiut is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is James Arreak.-1999 election:... |
James Arreak James Arreak James Arreak is a territorial and municipal level politician in Canada. He has served as a member of both the Nunavut and Northwest Territories legislatures.Arreak is from Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada.... 218, 40.3% |
Loasie Audlakiak 212, 39.2% |
Igah Hainnu 110, 20.3% |
1, 0.2% | 541, 84.9% | James Arreak | ||
South Baffin
In the district of South Baffin, there were no candidates who filed by nomination day. The original writs were returned to the Commissioner and reissued for a new election to be held on November 3, 2008. The lack of candidates on election day surprised the constituency, causing former incumbent Olayuk AkesukOlayuk Akesuk
Olayuk Akesuk is a politician from Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada. Akesuk was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin from 1999 to 2008, having won the seat in the 1999 Nunavut election...
to muse about coming out of retirement for another term if no one else wanted to step forward. Four new candidates came forward to file nomination papers by the new nomination deadline on October 3, 2008.
| Results by district | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Candidates | Rejected ballots | Turnout | Incumbent | |||
| South Baffin South Baffin South Baffin is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Fred Schell.-1999 election:... November 3, 2008 |
Fred Schell Fred Schell Fred Schell is a Canadian politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2008 territorial election. Prior to election as an MLA, Schell had served as mayor of Cape Dorset.-References:... 203, 39.6% |
Adamie Nuna 118, 23.0% |
Joannie Ikkidluak 116, 22.7% |
Zeke Ejesiak 72, 14.1% |
3, 0.6% | 512, 58.7% | Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk is a politician from Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada. Akesuk was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin from 1999 to 2008, having won the seat in the 1999 Nunavut election... |
Akulliq
Former Member of Parliament and Nunavut MLA Jack AnawakJack Anawak
Jack Iyerak Anawak is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Nunatsiaq in the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1997. He sat in the house as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada...
attempted to file nomination papers to run for election in the electoral district of Akulliq. Chief Electoral Officer Sandy Kusugak ruled that Anawak was not eligible to run for office as he had a mailing address outside of Nunavut. Anawak took Elections Nunavut to court. The judge however ruled in favour of the decision by Kusugak that Anawak had not met the twelve month resident requirement, but under the Elections Act Kusugak was required to cancel the election.
Although the judge ruled in favour of Kusugak's disqualification under the residency rule, Anawak's constitutional challenge was allowed to go ahead. Anawak had argued that the one year residency rule was in violation of his charter rights. However, judge Johnson ruled that the rule did not discriminate against Anawak as an Inuk
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
. The election was rescheduled for December 15, with nominations being open until November 14.
All of the original candidates, with the exception of Anawak, refiled for the by-election, as did one new candidate, Helena Malliki.
In the initial results, former MLA John Ningark
John Ningark
John Ningark is a territorial level politician in Canada. He is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.-Political history:...
defeated incumbent MLA Steve Mapsalak
Steve Mapsalak
Steve Mapsalak is a Canadian politician, who has served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Akulliq in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. He won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election.According to preliminary results, he was narrowly defeated by John Ningark...
by a margin of just two votes. A judicial recount was conducted, but resulted in Ningark and Mapsalak each receiving exactly 157 votes, thus forcing a second by-election. The revote was held on March 2, 2009, and Ningark won by a margin of 193 to 179 for Mapsalak.
| December 15, 2008 by-election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Candidates | Incumbent | |||
| Akulliq Akulliq Akulliq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay.-1999 election:-2004 election:-2008 election:... |
John Ningark John Ningark John Ningark is a territorial level politician in Canada. He is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.-Political history:... 157 |
Steve Mapsalak Steve Mapsalak Steve Mapsalak is a Canadian politician, who has served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Akulliq in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. He won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election.According to preliminary results, he was narrowly defeated by John Ningark... 155 initial 157 recount |
Helena Malliki 111 |
Marius Tungilik 38 |
Steve Mapsalak |
| March 2, 2009 by-election | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Candidates | Rejected ballots | Turnout | Incumbent | |||
| Akulliq Akulliq Akulliq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay.-1999 election:-2004 election:-2008 election:... |
John Ningark John Ningark John Ningark is a territorial level politician in Canada. He is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.-Political history:... 193, 37.04% |
Steve Mapsalak Steve Mapsalak Steve Mapsalak is a Canadian politician, who has served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Akulliq in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. He won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election.According to preliminary results, he was narrowly defeated by John Ningark... 179, 34.36% |
Ovide Alakannuark Ovide Alakannuark Ovide Alakannuark is a former territorial level politician in Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 until 2004.... 83, 15.93% |
Helena Malliki 66, 12.67% |
0 | 521, 77.53% | Steve Mapsalak |