IQALUIT
Whether to replace former Coun. Gideonie Joamie's empty seat was perhaps the most hotly debated agenda item the current city council has had yet.

No one will be replacing former Iqaluit Coun. Gideonie Joamie, who resigned from the position earlier this year. After much debate, council June 28 decided to leave the position empty until the next general election. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Lines were drawn and an extended debate, lasting almost an hour, saw every councillor pushing his or her perspective and arguing a case June 28.

The city had several options to replace Joamie, who stepped down earlier this year, including holding a byelection for an estimated cost of $90,000, piggybacking on another election for a cheaper price, appointing someone or not filling the eighth seat.

Coming from a democracy angle, said Coun. Kuthula Matshazi, appointing someone might come with optics of favouritism. He favoured putting the choice to the people.

Coun. Terry Dobbin wasted little time in suggesting some appointees, including former Coun. Kenny Bell, well-known as a critic of the city who told Nunavut News/North at the conclusion of her term that being on council was "one of the worst experiences of my life."

Coun. Simon Nattaq in Inuktitut said he did not like the idea of appointing someone.

"I don't want to carry on this conversation about past councillor Bell," said Coun. Joanasie Akumalik. "He chose not to run in this election. I can't support Coun. Dobbin's motion."

Deputy Mayor Romeyn Stevenson said he would find the irony rich for Bell to be appointed after spending "a fair bit of time in this chamber belittling our appointed councillor."

He said the cost of a byelection is too much.

Coun. Megan Pizzo-Lyall and Coun. Jashon Rochon both said they believe in democracy but also want to be frugal and the $90,000 ticket was a high cost.

Dobbin still pushed for Bell, though, saying if there were a byelection he would "probably win hands down."

Dobbin said he and Bell were "instrumental in taking this city out of the financial problem it was in."

Noticing the support for Bell seemed low, Dobbin also suggested appointing Lynda Gunn, a former councillor and the only other person who ran for council in the 2015 election, and former Coun. Stephen Mansell.

Akumalik said if council wants to appoint someone, it might want to appoint a youth to give a younger perspective.

"You guys are talking about a youth?" said Dobbin in response. "Youth are great, but these are complicated issues here."

Rochon moved to nominate Bell, Gunn and Mansell as options to be appointed, seconded by Dobbin. That motion failed.

Stevenson then moved to leave the spot empty until the next election.

He, Pizzo-Lyall and Nattaq voted in favour of that, with Dobbin and Rochon opposed.

Matshazi and Akumalik both abstained from the vote, meaning the motion carried.

The eighth spot will remain empty until the next election.

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