Nunavut held its general election on October 28, 2013, choosing 22 members of the 4th Legislative Assembly — the first election fought under the territory's new 22-riding electoral map, expanded from 19 seats following Nunavut's first boundary redistribution since its creation in 1999. Under the territory's consensus government system, all 73 candidates ran as independents, with the Premier and cabinet selected by MLAs through secret ballot after the vote.

Premier Eva Aariak, who had led the territory since 2008 and represented Iqaluit East in the 3rd Assembly, announced on September 5, 2013, that she would not seek a second term as Premier but would run for a seat in the redistributed riding of Iqaluit-Tasiluk. She was the territory's first female premier and only the fifth woman to serve as a premier in Canada.

Two ridings were uncontested: Kugluktuk (Peter Taptuna) and Netsilik (Jeannie Ugyuk). Turnout was approximately 70%.

Results

The election produced massive turnover, with roughly two-thirds of the Assembly being new or returning members. Five incumbents were defeated in contested races, nine open seats went to newcomers, and two members were acclaimed — leaving only six returning MLAs from the previous Assembly.

The most dramatic result came in Iqaluit-Tasiluk, where outgoing Premier Eva Aariak lost her own seat to George Hickes Jr. by 43 votes (237-194). In Pangnirtung, Johnny Mike won a four-candidate race by 15 votes over runner-up Harry Dialla, with incumbent Hezekiah Oshutapik finishing further back. In Quttiktuq, 74-year-old unilingual Inuktitut speaker Isaac Shooyook unseated incumbent Ron Elliott by 80 votes — a result widely seen as an affirmation of traditional Inuit values in governance.

Two ridings produced ties. In Rankin Inlet South, Lorne Kusugak and Alexander Sammurtok each received exactly 172 votes. The judicial recount on November 5 confirmed the tie, and a by-election on February 10, 2014, was won by Sammurtok with 268 votes to Kusugak's 225. In Uqqummiut, Samuel Nuqingaq and Niore Iqalukjuak initially appeared tied at 187 each; the recount found a 2-vote margin in Nuqingaq's favour (187-185). Nuqingaq was later expelled from the legislature on October 24, 2014, by unanimous vote for unexplained absences and unacceptable conduct.

The closest decided race was in Arviat North-Whale Cove, where George Kuksuk edged Elizabeth Copland by just 13 votes (160-147). Former premier Paul Okalik — who had led the territory from its creation in 1999 until 2008 and continued as a regular MLA until resigning in 2011 to run federally — returned to the legislature by winning Iqaluit-Sinaa with 183 votes. David Joanasie won South Baffin in a landslide with 409 votes, becoming the youngest MLA in Nunavut's history at age 30.

Key Figures

Peter Taptuna — Acclaimed in Kugluktuk and selected as Premier on November 15, 2013, by secret ballot, defeating Paul Okalik and Paul Quassa after each candidate delivered 20-minute remarks. Born circa 1956 in Cambridge Bay and raised in Kugluktuk, Taptuna attended residential school in Inuvik before studying management at Nunavut Arctic College. He spent 13 years working in the oil and gas industry in the Beaufort Sea — including as part of the first all-Inuit drilling team on an offshore rig — and later worked at the Lupin Gold Mine and for the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization. First elected in 2008, he served as Minister of Economic Development and Transportation under Premier Aariak before winning the premiership.

George Qulaut — Won Amittuq with 244 votes and was acclaimed as Speaker on November 15, nominated by Jeannie Ugyuk.

Paul Okalik — Nunavut's first premier (1999-2008) returned to the legislature by winning Iqaluit-Sinaa after a five-year absence. Appointed Minister of Justice in the new cabinet, he would later resign from cabinet in March 2016 over the government's decision to open a beer and wine store in Iqaluit.

Monica Ell — Won Iqaluit-Manirajak with 330 votes, the largest margin in any Iqaluit riding. Named Deputy Premier and given the Economic Development and Transportation portfolio with responsibility for Mines.

David Joanasie — At 30, became Nunavut's youngest-ever MLA by winning South Baffin with 409 votes — more than double his nearest rival. He would go on to serve multiple terms and hold several cabinet portfolios.

Campaign Issues

The housing crisis was the dominant issue. Nunavut faced severe overcrowding across the territory, with the cost of building in the Arctic making new construction prohibitively expensive. Candidates in virtually every riding cited housing as voters' top concern.

The mining boom shaped the economic debate. Agnico Eagle's Meadowbank Gold Mine near Baker Lake was in full production, contributing roughly 35% of Nunavut's GDP. Baffinland's Mary River iron ore project on northern Baffin Island was advancing through approvals, and the Areva Kiggavik uranium project near Baker Lake was also in the pipeline. Candidates debated how to maximize Inuit employment and benefits while protecting traditional land use.

Devolution negotiations with Ottawa were a priority. Unlike the Yukon and NWT, Nunavut had not achieved transfer of control over Crown lands and resources from the federal government. Premier Aariak had initiated formal discussions in May 2012, and candidates debated how to advance the process. The cost of living — food, fuel, and basic necessities — was a perennial concern, compounded by questions about the effectiveness of the Nutrition North Canada program that had replaced the Food Mail Program in 2011.

Suicide and mental health were persistent issues, with Nunavut experiencing among the highest suicide rates in the world, particularly among young Inuit men. Inuit language protection and the implementation of the Education Act mandating bilingual instruction in Inuktitut and English were ongoing concerns.

Notable Outcomes

Eva Aariak's defeat in her own riding continued a pattern — she was the latest in a series of Canadian premiers to lose their seat on election night. Despite stepping aside from the leadership, her loss underscored deep voter frustration with the outgoing government. Aariak was later appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2018 and named Nunavut's Commissioner in 2021.

On November 15, MLAs convened for the leadership forum. George Qulaut was acclaimed as Speaker. Three candidates stood for Premier — Taptuna, Okalik, and Quassa — and Taptuna won by secret ballot. Seven cabinet ministers were then selected: Monica Ell as Deputy Premier with Economic Development and Transportation; Keith Peterson with Finance; Paul Okalik with Justice; Paul Quassa with Education; George Kuksuk with Culture and Heritage and Languages; Johnny Mike with Environment; and Jeannie Ugyuk with Family Services. Tom Sammurtok later received Community and Government Services.

Three women were elected — Monica Ell, Pat Angnakak in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, and Jeannie Ugyuk — representing 14% of the expanded 22-seat legislature. The 4th Assembly would prove turbulent: Tom Sammurtok was removed from cabinet after being charged with drunk driving in 2015; Jeannie Ugyuk resigned her seat after failing a mid-term leadership review; Samuel Nuqingaq was expelled by unanimous vote; and Paul Okalik resigned from cabinet over an alcohol policy dispute — necessitating multiple by-elections and cabinet reshuffles during the term.