Background
Unlike most legislatures in Canada, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut operates on a non-partisan consensus government model. Candidates in territorial elections run as independents rather than being nominated by political parties. The premier and executive council are then selected internally by the MLAs at the first special sitting of the new legislative session. The election will be held using single-member districts, and successful candidates will be determined through the first past the post system.
New electoral boundaries were introduced in this election.[5]
In July 2025, incumbent premier P.J. Akeeagok announced he would not seek re-election.[6] The deadline for candidate registration was September 26, 2025. 2 seats saw their MLAs acclaimed.[7] Issues in the election included housing and the rising cost-of-living.[8]
Incumbents not standing for re-election
Candidates by district
(X) indicates the incumbent
Candidates in italics have been elected. Joanna Quassa, Johnny Mike, and Steven Taqtu all received a majority of less than 2 per cent over the next candidate triggering an automatic judicial recount.[10][11] Mike and Taqtu were elected, while Quassa's seat became tied, triggering a by-election in Aggu.[12]
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Joanna Quassa (X) | 105 | 50 |
| Erasmus Ivvalu | 105 | 50 |
| Blank/invalid | 8 | – |
| Total | 218 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 535 | 40.75 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Abraham Qammaniq | 148 | 41.1 |
| Reena Irqittuq | 80 | 22.2 |
| Paul Haulli | 74 | 20.6 |
| Roger Beaudry | 58 | 16.1 |
| Blank/invalid | 1 | – |
| Total | 361 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 662 | 54.53 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| John Main (X) | 229 | 57 |
| Tony Uluadluak | 173 | 43 |
| Blank/invalid | 3 | – |
| Total | 405 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 817 | 49.57 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Jamie Kablutsiak | 255 | 67.8 |
| Alana Kuksuk | 120 | 31.9 |
| Blank/invalid | 1 | – |
| Total | 376 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 710 | 52.96 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Craig Atangalaaq Simailak (X) | 268 | 52.5 |
| Simeon Mikkungwak | 242 | 47.5 |
| Blank/invalid | 2 | – |
| Total | 512 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 1057 | 48.44 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| David Porter | 132 | 36 |
| Meghan Porter | 124 | 33.8 |
| Agoakteak Gregory Nahaglulik | 51 | 13.9 |
| David Akoak | 49 | 13.4 |
| Sonny Porter | 11 | 3 |
| Blank/invalid | 2 | – |
| Total | 369 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 697 | 52.94 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Janet Brewster (X) | 175 | 53.8 |
| Robin Anawak | 150 | 46.2 |
| Blank/invalid | 0 | – |
| Total | 325 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 1000 | 32.5 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| George Hickes (X) | 354 | 71.7 |
| Malaiya Lucassie | 140 | 28.3 |
| Blank/invalid | 5 | – |
| Total | 499 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 1088 | 45.86 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Johnny Mike | 127 | 36.7 |
| Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk | 123 | 35.5 |
| Andrew Nakashuk | 92 | 26.6 |
| Blank/invalid | 4 | – |
| Total | 346 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 744 | 46.51 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Steven Taqtu | 121 | 47.8 |
| Philip Kalluk | 107 | 42.3 |
| Andrew Taqtu | 20 | 7.9 |
| Blank/invalid | 5 | – |
| Total | 253 | 100 |
| Registered/turnout | 589 | 42.95 |
| Candidate |
Vote |
% |
| Brian Koonoo | 194 | 50.9 |
| Verna Strickland | 109 | 28.6 |
| David Qamaniq | 78 | 20.5 |
| Blank/invalid | 3 | – |
| Total | 384 | 48.48 |
| Registered/turnout | 792 | |
Aftermath
Two ridings acclaimed their MLA, since only one candidate registered: Daniel Qavvik in Hudson Bay and David Joanasie in South Baffin, both incumbents.
Three ridings faced judicial recounts[14] because the difference between the first- and second-place finishers was less than 2% of the votes cast:[2] Aggu, where incumbent Joanna Quassa had an initial count of 106 votes to Erasmus Ivvalu's 103; Pangnirtung, where former MLA Johnny Mike had 125 votes to Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk's 122; and Quttiktuq, where Steven Taqtu had 113 votes to Philip Kalluk's 109.
In the election, 13 out of the 22 seats in the legislature elected new MLAs. Given that the territory operates on a consensus government system, MLAs elected on October 27 chose the new premier, cabinet, and speaker in the first session of the 7th Assembly on November 18.[15] David Joanasie was elected speaker and John Main was elected premier, defeating David Akeeagok.[16]
Results
| Reelection statistics |
|---|
|
Seats |
Did not run |
Defeated |
Reelected |
| Cabinet |
9 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
| Opposition[17] |
13 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
| All MLAs |
22 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
Notes
- ↑ Akeeagok has been the MLA for Quttiktuq since 2017, but is switiching districts to Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu.[13]
References
- ↑ "Nunavut MLAs opt for fixed election dates, code of conduct" Archived February 12, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Nunatsiaq News, February 24, 2014.
- 1 2 "Nunavut Elections Act" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ↑ Taylor, Juanita (October 31, 2025). "Nunavut election saw one of the lowest voter turnouts in territory's history". CBC.
- ↑ Murray, Nick. "Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok survives confidence vote after effort to oust him". www.msn.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ↑ "Future Constituency Boundaries After September 21, 2025" (PDF).
- 1 2 Akeeagok, PJ. (July 8, 2025). "A Message to the People of Nunavut". Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ↑ Wat, Samuel (September 26, 2025). "Here's who's running in the 2025 Nunavut territorial election". CBC.
- ↑ Housing crisis, cost of living fuelling Nunavut voter apathy. CBC. October 26, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Speaker, finance minister, former premier among Nunavut MLAs who say farewell". September 21, 2025.
- ↑ "2025 Territorial General Election Pangnirtung". Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ↑ "2025 Territorial General Election Quttiktuq". Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ↑ "2025 Territorial General Election Aggu". Retrieved November 10, 2025.
Tie vote – New Election required (see s. 149(2) of the Act)
- ↑ "Cabinet minister David Akeeagok to switch ridings, run in Iqaluit". September 8, 2025.
- ↑ Wat, Samuel; Tranter, Emma (October 27, 2025). "See the latest election results in Nunavut — 3 recounts called in tight races". CBC. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ↑ Why did Nunavut's election results take so long?. CBC. October 28, 2025.
- ↑ "John Main is Nunavut's next premier".
- ↑ "Nunavut's next premier and cabinet to be chosen Tuesday".
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