Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

NUNAVUT
The Nunavut electoral map has been redrawn as the Legislative Assembly voted in favour of increasing the number of constituencies to 22.

Bill 22, an Act Respecting Constituencies of Nunavut implements the recommendations of the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission, which released its report on June 7. Commission head Justice J. Edward Richard had recommended increasing the size of the legislature to 22 from 19 MLAs.

The act passed third reading on Oct. 28 and is awaiting assent. The changes will take effect in time for the next territorial election, expected sometime in 2012.

Arviat, Iglulik and Iqaluit will each get an additional MLA. In the Kivalliq, this means Whale Cove will be paired with Arviat North in a constituency while Chesterfield Inlet will be part of a new Rankin Inlet North riding.

Whale Cove currently shares a riding with Rankin Inlet South, and Chesterfield Inlet currently shares a riding with Coral Harbour.

Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour will be paired in a constituency while Kugaaruk and Taloyoak will comprise another riding. Gjoa Haven will have its own MLA.

The legislature also voted to change the constituency name of Iglulik North to Aggu and Iglulik South to Amittuq.

MLA Louis Tapardjuk, whose riding of Amittuq comprises Iglulik and Hall Beach, stated he supports increasing the number of MLAs as the territorial population is growing.

"The people of Nunavut are looking forward to seeing an increase in the number of Legislative Assembly members," he stated at the legislature on Oct. 27.

Nattilik MLA Jeannie Ugyuk, who represents Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, also stated she supports the bill.

"I will also (be) supporting the bill because the people of Gjoa Haven would like their own MLA," she stated at the legislature on Oct. 27. "We have to abide by the wishes of the people of Gjoa Haven."

Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove MLA Lorne Kusugak also stated he supports the bill.

"I believe we should support their recommendations instead of trying to change them," he stated at the legislature on Oct. 27. "I will support the draft legislation without any changes, based on what my constituents have stated as well as others who spoke on the issue."

Pangnirtung MLA Hezakiah Oshutapik stated Nunavut residents understand the reasoning for increasing the number.

The one-time capital costs of renovating the legislative chamber as well as new offices and equipment to accommodate three more MLAs is estimated at $1 million, according to the commission. The operational costs of adding one MLA is $300,000 per year.

However, Nanulik MLA Johnny Ningeongan did not support the bill and he says the communities he represents, Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet, do not.

"The perception among the residents is that the government cannot raise any further revenue," he stated at the legislature on Oct. 27. "If we create three more members, their position on that is that it will not lead to more benefits for the communities."

Tununiq MLA Joe Enook also does not support the bill.

"I agree with the meaning but the minister of finance keeps telling us to be prudent and there's no funding available and how can we come up with $1 million in a short period of time?" he asked at the legislature on Oct. 28.

Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott suggested on Oct. 28 postponing the addition of three MLAs "until a later date ... when the territory is more financially able to handle three new MLAs and the costs incurred with that."

His motion was defeated in the legislative assembly.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.