On Monday, the territory of Nunavut held its third general election since the territory’s inception in 1999.  Premier Paul Okalik retained his seat in the legislative assembly for a third term in the riding of Iqaluit West.  Premier Okalik narrowly defeated (less than 50 votes) Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik – becoming the longest serving leader in Canada’s north.

Nunavut’s political structure is different then that of the rest of Canada where party politics dominates the political landscape.  Known as “consensus government”, elected members to the Nunavut legislative who run as independents will then vote amongst each other for the Premier, Speaker of the House and Cabinet.  19 members make-up Nunavut’s legislative assembly and with the departure of the majority of Nunavut’s previous cabinet it appears that fresh faces and a new agenda will most certainly direct Nunavut’s government.

The Nunavut general election was the second in Canadian history in which a federal and territorial/provincial election where called during the same period — the other being in 1940 with the province of Alberta.   

For further information on the territorial structure of Nunavut, please visit the following link:

http://www.polarwarming.ca/canadian_arctic.html 

For further information on the Nunavut election, please visit the following link:

Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik wins seat in heated election race — Canadian Press