Did you hear...

Nunavut got its first female Premier? Eva Aariak is the Premier-elect and the second to serve after Paul Okalik held the top job in the Government of Nunavut for the past 9 years.

Many people no doubt are anticipating some changes and to some, it is a refreshing renewal while to other, it was an upsetting takeover.

She's the second politician to say these words in this new government (Lorne Kusugaq said it soon after being elected in Rankin South/Whale Cove).

Happy New Government!

Nunavut Leadership Forum

So, the leadership forum is scheduled to start tomorrow morning. Should be interesting - I'll maybe check it out in the afternoon if they have not already announced who is in what position.

twiddling my thumbs...

SB By-election results

Fred Schell, now the former Mayor of Kinngait has been elected as South Baffin's MLA after 59% of the elegibile voters cast their ballots.

What I find rather odd is that Kimmirummiut chose the out-of-towner over their local candidate.

More coverage here.

Voting day

so tonite will show a new set of MLAs for the GN and all I can say to that is: the Nunavut Elections Act should be one of the first things to be reviewed and amended. My after-thoughts are: would my non-voting ability play at least a significantly minor part? We'll see after tonite.

And what of next week when South Baffin holds its by-election? I don't think many people will notice. The other by-election is what interests me more despite being from SB.

happy voting Nunamiut - I can wait to cast my ballot in 4 years. Maybe then my residency should be cleared up.

update: results can be found here, read coverage on the voter turnout decrease, and a call for gender-parity.

I get all my other "news" through the grapevine aside from CBC North, Nunatsiaq News and News North.

candidacy apathy?

there is not one person that ran in my howntown riding of South Baffin in the Nunavut Territorial general elections.

Elections Nunavut has scheduled a byelection on Nov. 3 for South Baffin. Outgoing MLA Olayak Akesuk, who had not wanted to seek re-election, told CBC News he may run if nobody else is interested.

I do hope that someone else does run this time around - I can think of at least a few people that could/should be good representatives in the House for Kinngait & Kimmirut.

Update: the by-election writ has brough up four hopefuls for South-Baffin riding - first and foremost, I'll be happy if the incumbent speaks Inuktitut. And secondly, can read and understand English clearly (talk about mediocre expectations!). That's my standard that one of these these candidates will have to prove and live up to if am to support them in office. Only time will tell.