Yahoo Finance 5 Nunavut seats acclaimed as territory looks to Oct. 25 election
Voters in five of Nunavut's 22 ridings won't be heading to the polls in the territory's general election on Oct. 25.
That's because incumbents in those five ridings were acclaimed by Elections Nunavut, as the deadline for candidacy declarations passed on Friday afternoon.
Pangnirtung MLA Margaret Nakashuk, South Baffin MLA David Joanasie, Tununiq MLA David Akeeagok, all ministers in the previous territorial government, were acclaimed alongside Arviat North-Chesterfield Inlet MLA John Main.
Joe Savikataaq, until recently the premier of Nunavut, also saw his seat of Arviat South acclaimed Sept. 24.
Fifty-eight Nunavut residents filed declarations of candidacy in total, down from 72 in the 2017 election.
Fourteen of the 2021 candidates are women.
Among the candidates is a longtime political figure, Tagak Curley, who is running in Rankin Inlet South.
In 1971, Curley was a founding member and the first president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (Inuit Tapirisat of Canada). He then served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1979 to 1987.
Curley was acclaimed for the Nunavut riding of Rankin Inlet North in the 2004 general election, where he remained as MLA until 2013.
Curley also served as health minister in the Nunavut government
Now, he's running against Lorne Kusugak, who has served recently as the territory's health minister, and Bobby Oolooyuk.
Campaigning starts in Nunavut's capital
Campaigning on social media and door-to-door has already gotten underway in Iqaluit — where all four ridings are contested.
Posters have been put up in busy intersections, where some candidates — including incumbent Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone — have been personally handing out campaign brochures to morning commuters.
In Cambridge Bay, Nunavut's western hub, three candidates are running to become the next MLA: incumbent Jeannie Ehaloak, Pamela Gross, who resigned recently as mayor to run for MLA, and Peter Ohokak.
Nunavut-wide issues likely to be discussed during the campaign include the need for more and better housing, infrastructure, elder care and increased public safety.
Here's a riding-by-riding look at the Nunavut candidates:
Aggu
Methusalah Kunuk
Joanna Quassa
Aivilik
Helena Malliki
Solomon Malliki
Lucassie Padlayat Nakoolak
Johnny Ningeongan
Patterk Netser (incumbent)
Amittuq
Solomon Allurut
Joelie Kaernerk (incumbent)
Arviat North
John Main: Acclaimed
Arviat South
Joe Savikataaq: Acclaimed
Baker Lake
Elijah Amarook
Daniel Piryuaq
Craig Atangalaaq Simailak (incumbent)
Cambridge Bay
Pamela Hakongak Gross
Jeannie Hakongak Ehaloak (incumbent)
Peter Ohokak
Gjoa Haven
Allen Aglukkaq
Tony Akoak (incumbent)
Gregory A. Nahaglulik
Paul Tunik Puqiqnak
Veronica Ullulaq
Hudson Bay
Mick Appaqaq
Ronald Ladd
Daniel Qavvik
Iqaluit-Manirajak
Joanasie Akumalik
Adam Arreak Lightstone (incumbent)
Iqaluit-Niaqunguu
P.J. Akeeagok
Noah Papatsie
Dinos Tikivik
Iqaluit-Sinaa
Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster
Christa Kunuk
Jeff Ungalaq Maurice
Iqaluit-Tasiluk
James T. Arreak
George Hickes (incumbent)
Jonathan Chul-Hee Min Park
Michael Salomonie
Kugluktuk
Bobby Anavilok
Angele Kuliktana
Genevieve Nivingalok
Calvin Aivgak Pedersen (incumbent)
Netsilik
Simon Qingnaqtuq
Emiliano Qirngnuq (incumbent)
Joseph Inagayuk Quqqiaq
Pangnirtung
Margaret Nakashuk: Acclaimed
Quttiktuq
David Akeeagok: Acclaimed
Rankin Inlet North
Albert Aokaut
Cathy Towtongie (incumbent)
Alexander Sammurtok
Rankin Inlet South
Tagak Curley
Lorne Kusugak (incumbent)
Bobby Oolooyuk
Tununiq
Joshua Arreak
Karen Nutarak
David Qayaakuttuk Qamaniq (incumbent)
South Baffin
David Joanasie: Acclaimed
Uqqumiut
Sheila Enook
Mary Killiktee
