Members of Nunavutâs Legislative Assembly voted John Main as Nunavutâs next premier.
John Main was voted in Tuesday during the territoryâs leadership forum. Main and David Akeeagok, who was also vying to become premier of the seventh assembly, spent about four hours answering colleagues’ questions, laying out experience that would inform their work as premier and what priorities they hope to see accomplished in their four-year term.Â
Main said he would prioritize partnerships and look to work closely with governments, Indigenous organizations, regional Inuit associations and private companies.Â
He said forming those relationships is something heâs most proud of from his time in politics.Â
Main said he would aim to work with those partners to develop more sources of revenue for the territory, including in natural gas. He said he would look to develop a virtual-first approach to health care, create an elder van program and an on-the-land treatment program in every community.Â
He spoke to what he called a âcrisisâ of unemployment and said he wants to work to educate Nunavummuit and create jobs in communities.Â
Main represents Arviat North-Whale Cove. He was first elected in 2017 and has served as the minister of health, minister responsible for suicide prevention and minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Members elected David Joanasie, MLA for South Baffin, as Speaker. They will elect cabinet members Tuesday then the new premier will choose and distribute the cabinet portfolios among the eight other cabinet members in the coming days.
This is a practice unique to Nunavut and the N.W.T., which operates as consensus governments.
Only 21 of the 22 electorates were represented at the Nunavut Legislative Assembly Tuesday.
Voters in the Aggu riding, which includes the northern part of Igloolik, return to the polls on Dec. 15 following a tie between the two candidates.
The new premier and cabinet ministers will be sworn in Thursday at Nunavutâs Legislative Assembly.
