Nunavut held its general election on October 25, 2021, choosing 22 members of the 6th Legislative Assembly. Under the territory's consensus government system, all candidates ran as independents, with the Premier, Speaker, and cabinet selected by MLAs through secret ballot after the vote. Outgoing Premier Joe Savikataaq, who had represented Arviat South since 2013 and led the territory since June 2018, sought re-election and was acclaimed.

A record five ridings were uncontested: Arviat South (Joe Savikataaq), Arviat North-Whale Cove (John Main), Pangnirtung (Margaret Nakashuk), Quttiktuq (David Akeeagok), and South Baffin (David Joanasie). Turnout fell to approximately 50%, a sharp decline from the 63% recorded in 2017.

The election took place against extraordinary circumstances. On October 12 — just 13 days before voting — Iqaluit issued a Do Not Consume water advisory after diesel fuel was discovered in the city's water supply from a buried decades-old fuel tank near the water treatment plant. The Canadian military was dispatched to set up emergency water treatment, and the advisory lasted until December.

Results

The electorate produced massive turnover, with 11 of 22 members new to the Assembly. Six incumbents were defeated in contested races, six were re-elected, and five returned by acclamation. Two ridings required mandatory judicial recounts.

The closest race came in Amittuq, where incumbent Joelie Kaernerk held on by just 3 votes over Solomon Allurut (170-167), confirmed after recount. In Aggu, newcomer Joanna Quassa won by 10 votes over Methusalah Kunuk (96-86). In Cambridge Bay, newcomer Pamela Hakongak Gross — who had lost to Jeannie Hakongak Ehaloak in 2017 and resigned as mayor to run again — won by 9 votes in a three-candidate race, confirmed after recount.

In Iqaluit-Sinaa, newcomer Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster won by 7 votes (97-90) with turnout of just 29%. In Aivilik, newcomer Solomon Malliki defeated incumbent Patterk Netser, who had been stripped of cabinet portfolios in 2020 over controversial social media posts. In Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Alexander Sammurtok — who had won a 2014 by-election in Rankin Inlet South before losing the seat to Lorne Kusugak in 2017 — won the different riding of Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, defeating incumbent Cathy Towtongie.

The largest margin came in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, where newcomer P.J. Akeeagok won with 84% of the vote. Incumbent Pat Angnakak had resigned to run federally, and Akeeagok's commanding victory foreshadowed his selection as Premier.

Key Figures

P.J. Akeeagok — Won Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu with the largest margin of the night and was selected as Premier on November 17, 2021, defeating outgoing Premier Joe Savikataaq and Lorne Kusugak by secret ballot after more than five hours of questioning from MLAs. Born November 5, 1984, and raised in Grise Fiord — Canada's northernmost community on Ellesmere Island — Akeeagok attended the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program and studied political science and Indigenous Studies at the University of Ottawa. He served seven years as president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association before resigning in August 2021 to run for the legislature. Sworn in November 19 at age 37, he declared child care, housing, and mental health as his top priorities.

Tony Akoak — Re-elected to a third term in Gjoa Haven and acclaimed as Speaker of the 6th Assembly on November 17. First elected in 2013, Akoak brought continuity to the legislative role.

Pamela Hakongak Gross — A newcomer who won Cambridge Bay by 9 votes after resigning as mayor to run. Named Deputy Premier immediately — an unusual elevation for a first-time MLA — and given the Education portfolio and responsibility for Nunavut Arctic College.

George Hickes — Re-elected to a third term in Iqaluit-Tasiluk with 71% of the vote. Though one of the Assembly's most experienced members, Hickes was not selected for cabinet.

Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster — Won Iqaluit-Sinaa by just 7 votes in a three-candidate race with the territory's lowest turnout at 29%. A longtime public health policy professional and former Iqaluit deputy mayor, Brewster's victory in the riding most affected by the water contamination crisis added urgency to her mandate.

Campaign Issues

The housing crisis was the dominant issue across the territory. Nunavut needed approximately 3,000 to 3,500 new units to address chronic overcrowding, yet the outgoing government had funding to build only about 83 units annually. Overcrowded housing was directly linked to the spread of COVID-19, which had hit Arviat particularly hard — the community recorded 339 cases and one death over six months.

The pandemic shaped both the campaign and the issues. The territory had no intensive care unit and only one hospital serving 25 communities, with millions spent on isolation centres in southern Canada. Healthcare delivery, mental health services, and suicide prevention were raised in virtually every riding.

The Iqaluit water contamination crisis, erupting less than two weeks before the vote, dominated the four Iqaluit ridings. Cost of living and food insecurity — perennial northern concerns — were compounded by pandemic-era disruptions. Infrastructure needs including airstrip upgrades and community facilities were priorities in smaller ridings. Inuit language preservation and education in Inuktitut were prominent issues, particularly in Kitikmeot and Kivalliq ridings.

Notable Outcomes

The 5th Assembly that preceded the election had been turbulent. Paul Quassa was selected as Premier after the 2017 election but lost a confidence vote on June 14, 2018, by a margin of 16-3 — the first time a sitting Nunavut premier was removed by non-confidence. Joe Savikataaq was then selected as his replacement, defeating Lorne Kusugak. A government ransomware attack in November 2019 shut down computer systems for weeks. Patterk Netser was stripped of cabinet portfolios in 2020 over social media posts, and the pandemic exposed deep infrastructure gaps.

On November 17, MLAs convened for the leadership forum. Tony Akoak was acclaimed as Speaker. Three candidates stood for Premier — Akeeagok, Savikataaq, and Kusugak — and Akeeagok won after more than five hours of questioning. Eight cabinet ministers were then selected over multiple ballots: Pamela Gross was named Deputy Premier with Education; David Akeeagok received Environment and Justice; Adam Arreak Lightstone took Finance and Human Resources; Lorne Kusugak was given Economic Development and Transportation plus the Housing Corporation; John Main received Health and Suicide Prevention; Margaret Nakashuk took Family Services; David Joanasie was assigned Community and Government Services; and Joanna Quassa received Culture and Heritage. Notably, outgoing Premier Savikataaq and veteran George Hickes were passed over for cabinet.

Six women were elected — matching the territory's record — with five of the six being newcomers to the legislature. The election of P.J. Akeeagok at 37 made him one of the youngest premiers in Canadian history.