Deputy Premier's defeat comes as big surprise
Kerry McCluskey and Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
IQALUIT (Feb 17/99) - The people of Nunavut have spoken and at least one veteran politician is out of a job as a result.
Goo Arlooktoo, the politician from Baffin South lost his riding to Olayuk Akesuk Monday night by more than 130 votes.
|
The winners |
"It was quite a surprise in Baffin South," said Tagak Curley, a former MLA in the Keewatin region.
Across the new territory, there was a steady trend of incumbents being beaten or just winning their seats by a few votes.
"We needed some experience for Nunavut and that was important, but I understand why we wanted to go back to the ways of respect, honour and common sense," said Curley.
In Nunavut's capital, the three winning candidates all finished up with a strong lead. Iqaluit East's Ed Picco, Iqaluit West's Paul Okalik and Iqaluit Centre's Hunter Tootoo all won.
Peter Kilabuk won to take the seat in Pangnirtung while David Iqaqrialu stole Tommy Enuaraq's seat out from under him in Uqqummiut.
Jobie Nutarak won Tunnuniq and former MLA Levi Barnabas will go to the Legislative Assembly as the MLA for Quttiktuq. Amittuq's Mark Evaloarjuk lost his seat to Enoki Irqittuq.
In the Keewatin voters followed the Nunavut-wide trend of electing experienced politicians to form the new territory's first legislative assembly. There were, however, some surprises.
Former MLA Manitok Thompson and interim commission Jack Anawak both scored victories in their respective ridings of Rankin Inlet South and North.
Thompson edged out Levinia Brown by a slim 13-vote margin.
Anawak held off a determined bid by Louis Pilakapsi in Rankin South. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the Keewatin Region was the election of James Arvaluk in the Nanulik riding, besting runner-up Johnny Ningeongan by 31 votes. The MLA overcame his share of personal problems to once again rise to Northern political prominence.
In the Kitikmeot, veteran politician Kelvin Eng was elected in Cambridge Bay. Former Gjoa Haven mayor Uriash Puqiqnak won the riding of Nattilik.
By electing Thompson, the Keewatin is sending the only female MLA to sit in the new Nunavut legislative assembly to be sworn in April 1. Some 18 female candidates ran in the election
