Nunavut held its general election on October 30, 2017, choosing 22 members of the 5th Legislative Assembly. Under the territory's consensus government system, all 72 candidates ran as independents, with the Premier and cabinet selected by MLAs through secret ballot after the vote. This was the first Nunavut election held under fixed election date legislation. Premier Peter Taptuna, who had represented Kugluktuk since 2008 and led the territory since 2013, announced in September 2017 that he would not seek re-election — becoming the first Nunavut premier to voluntarily step aside after a single term. Finance and Justice Minister Keith Peterson also retired after 13 years.

Only one riding was uncontested: Kugluktuk, where Mila Adjukak Kamingoak was acclaimed. Turnout was approximately 63%, a decline from roughly 70% in 2013. Results were slow to arrive, with several ridings not reporting until well after midnight.

Results

Voters delivered one of the most sweeping turnovers in Nunavut's history. Eight of nineteen incumbents who sought re-election were defeated, including three cabinet ministers and the Speaker. Combined with retirements, the election produced an Assembly where roughly half the members were new.

Three ministers and the Speaker fell on the same night. Deputy Premier Monica Ell-Kanayuk lost Iqaluit-Manirajak to Adam Arreak Lightstone by 26 votes. Culture and Heritage Minister George Kuksuk lost Arviat North-Whale Cove to newcomer John Main, who took 78% of the vote. Family Services Minister Johnny Mike lost Pangnirtung to Margaret Nakashuk with only about 18% of the vote in a four-candidate field. Speaker George Qulaut lost Amittuq to newcomer Joelie Kaernerk in a seven-candidate race.

The most dramatic upset came in Iqaluit-Sinaa, where former Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik defeated Paul Okalik — Nunavut's first-ever Premier, who had served in every Legislative Assembly since the territory's creation in 1999 — by 237 to 150 votes. In Quttiktuq, David Akeeagok won a crowded nine-candidate race with 189 votes (46%), while 78-year-old incumbent Isaac Shooyook received only 45 votes.

The closest contested race was in Cambridge Bay, where newcomer Jeannie Hakongak Ehaloak defeated Pamela Gross by 11 votes after judicial recount. In Rankin Inlet South, Lorne Kusugak — who had tied with Alexander Sammurtok at 172-172 in 2013 and lost the subsequent by-election — won emphatic revenge, nearly tripling Sammurtok's vote (309 to 136).

George Hickes dominated Iqaluit-Tasiluk with 82% of the vote (350 to 77), the largest margin in any contested riding.

Key Figures

Paul Quassa — Won Aggu with 106 votes (36%) in a three-candidate field and was selected as Premier on November 17, 2017, winning on the first ballot after nearly six hours of questioning. Born January 12, 1952, at Manitok, a hunting camp near Igloolik — born in an igloo and raised in the traditional Inuit way of life — Quassa was taken to a residential school in Churchill, Manitoba at age six. He returned to Igloolik in 1972 and spent two decades working on land claims, serving as chief negotiator and then president of the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut. He was one of the principal negotiators and signatories of the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, which led to the creation of the territory. He also worked as a journalist with CBC North and the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation. First elected in 2013, he served as Minister of Education under Taptuna before winning the premiership.

Joe Enook — Re-elected in Tununiq and acclaimed as Speaker on November 17 at the start of the leadership forum.

Joe Savikataaq — Re-elected in Arviat South and named Deputy Premier. He would replace Quassa as Premier in June 2018 after a non-confidence vote.

John Main — A newcomer who won Arviat North-Whale Cove with 78% of the vote, defeating incumbent cabinet minister George Kuksuk. An economist and former CBC reporter, Main would later introduce the motion of non-confidence against Premier Quassa.

David Akeeagok — Won the nine-candidate race in Quttiktuq with 46% of the vote. Born and raised in Grise Fiord, he was appointed Minister of Finance in the new cabinet.

Campaign Issues

The housing crisis was the single most-cited issue. Nunavut had a 39% core housing need — more than three times the national average — with a 35% overcrowding rate in public housing and a shortfall of more than 3,000 units. Overcrowding was linked to health problems, family stress, and educational challenges.

Suicide prevention was a defining concern. Inuit in Nunavut were dying by suicide at nearly 10 times the national rate, and Premier Taptuna had declared suicide a crisis in the legislature in October 2015. Candidates across the territory called for Inuit-led prevention programs and community-based mental health services.

The cost of living — food, fuel, and basic necessities — dominated candidate forums in every riding. Devolution negotiations with the federal government were a priority, with candidates arguing that transferring authority over public lands and resources would give the territory greater fiscal flexibility. Mining and resource development, particularly balancing commercial interests with traditional Inuit land use, were prominent in Kitikmeot and Kivalliq ridings. Inuit language protection and the promotion of Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun in schools and government remained an underlying priority.

Notable Outcomes

On November 17, the leadership forum convened. Joe Enook was acclaimed as Speaker. Four candidates stood for Premier — Paul Quassa, Joe Savikataaq, Cathy Towtongie, and Patterk Netser — and Quassa won on the first ballot. Seven cabinet ministers were selected and sworn in on November 21 during a severe windstorm: Savikataaq as Deputy Premier with Family Services; Elisapee Sheutiapik as Government House Leader with Economic Development and Transportation plus Environment; David Akeeagok with Finance; Pat Angnakak with Health and Suicide Prevention; Jeannie Ehaloak with Justice; David Joanasie with Education and Culture and Heritage; and Lorne Kusugak with Community and Government Services plus the Housing Corporation. For the first time, Nunavut had three women in cabinet, and all ministers were bilingual in English and at least one Inuit language.

Six women were elected — doubling the three from 2013 and setting a territorial record at 27% of the legislature. Two former MLAs returned: Patterk Netser won Aivilik, defeating former federal MP Jack Anawak, and Lorne Kusugak reclaimed Rankin Inlet South four years after his 172-172 tie.

Quassa's premiership would prove short-lived. On June 14, 2018, he lost a non-confidence vote 16-3, with two abstentions — the first time a sitting Nunavut premier was removed by the Assembly. MLA John Main, who introduced the motion, cited concerns about management style and integrity, including spending on a Northern Lights conference in Ottawa. Joe Savikataaq was then selected as Premier, defeating Lorne Kusugak in the second round of voting, and led the territory for the remainder of the 5th Assembly.