Mayors, councillors elected in most Nunavut communities Monday

Nunavummiut elected mayors and councillors in most of the territory's communities Monday.

In Rankin Inlet, Mayor Harry Towtongie was re-elected by only five votes, garnering 183 votes to challenger Megan Pizzo-Lyall's 178. Pizzo-Lyall is a former Rankin Inlet councillor and Liberal candidate.

About 28 per cent of voters in Rankin Inlet cast ballots, according to unofficial results from Elections Nunavut. Hamlet council candidates in the community were acclaimed, but you can read more about their priorities here.

Harry Towtongie, seen here in a file photo, has been re-elected as mayor of Rankin Inlet. (Matisse Harvey/CBC News)

Towtongie has previously told CBC News that his priorities as mayor would be addressing Rankin Inlet's landfill, as well as the dock and boating ramp.

In Cambridge Bay, Wayne Gregory has been voted in as mayor. He takes over for Derek Elias, who was appointed mayor in November 2022. Previously, Elias served as a councillor.

202 voters opted for Gregory, compared to 181 for Elias. Charles Zikalala, meanwhile, won 31 votes. Elections Nunavut says turnout was 37 per cent.

Gregory has previously spoken about the need to help people who are struggling "through tough times" — including suicide prevention, mental health help, and help with housing and food insecurity.

Wayne Gregory has been elected as mayor of Cambridge Bay. (Wayne Gregory)

Elections Nunavut says it will hold an administrative recount for Cambridge Bay council elections on Oct. 25.

Gjoa Haven opts to keep liquor prohibition

Gjoa Haven residents have opted not to pass a liquor plebiscite that would have loosened the community's alcohol law.

The community is currently on a prohibited system, meaning it is dry.

The plebiscite asked voters if the community should move to a restricted system, which would have meant a person could purchase in or import a limited quantity every 14 days. That quantity would have been 24 cans of beer or other liquor with no more than eight per cent alcohol by volume, and four litres of wine.

In the end, 233 people voted against the proposal — about 60 per cent of the total count. One hundred fifty-five people voted yes.

A look at who was voted in, and where

A few of the mayoral races in Nunavut came down to the wire.

In Igloolik, George Auksaq won by two votes over George Qattalik. Elections Nunavut says it has conducted an administrative recount to confirm the results.

In Sanirajak, Ammie Kipsigak and Philip Anguratsiaq appear to have tied, with 57 votes each.

In an email, Elections Nunavut said that means the winner will either be chosen by a draw, or a Justice of the Peace can do a recount. If that recount also results in a tie, the winner will still be chosen by a draw.

Because no candidates were originally declared for mayor in Sanikiluaq, the nomination period was extended and the mayoral election will take place on Oct. 30

The same goes for the council race in Gjoa Haven, where not enough candidates put their names forward. That election will take place on Nov. 20.

Iqaluit voters elected some new faces and returned some veterans to city council. You can read about those results here.

Read below for a list of who was victorious in each community outside Iqaluit, with mayors marked with an asterisk:

Arctic Bay:

• Olayuk Naqitarvik*

• Kigutikajuk Shappa (acclaimed)

Arviat:

• Joe Savikataaq Jr.* (acclaimed)

• Alex Ishalook

• Gordy Kidlapik

• Jimmy Main

• Gleason Uppahuak

• David Kuksuk

• Nathan Caskey

• Jason Gibbons

• Mike Gibbons

Baker Lake:

• Kevin Iksiktaaryuk*

• Trevor Attungala

• Michael Akilak

• Becky Tootoo

• Grace Tagoona

• Adham Adose

• Eric John Tapatai

• Siobhan Doherty-Iksiktaaryuk

• Eva Elytook

Cambridge Bay:

• Wayne Gregory*

Chesterfield Inlet:

• Simionie Sammurtok*

• Gaetano Scala (acclaimed)

• Yvonne Bedford (acclaimed)

• Eddy Kalluk (acclaimed)

• Doriana Sammurtok (acclaimed)

• Venissa Mimialik (acclaimed)

• Charles Issaluk (acclaimed)

• Elizabeth Ippiak (acclaimed)

Clyde River:

• Liemikie Palluq* (acclaimed)

• Gordon Kautuk (acclaimed)

• Mosa Palituq (acclaimed)

• Natanine Apak (acclaimed)

Coral Harbour:

• Kupapik Ningeocheak* (acclaimed)

• Lucy Netser (acclaimed)

• Willie Nakoolak (acclaimed)

• Molly Angootealuk (acclaimed)

• Kristal Sharpe (acclaimed)

Gjoa Haven:

• Raymond Quqshuun Sr.*

Grise Fiord:

• Meeka Kiguktak*

• Susie Kiguktak (acclaimed)

• Arqnarulunnguaq Audlaluk (acclaimed)

• Eva Muckpa (acclaimed)

• Laisa Audlaluk-Watsko (acclaimed)

• Jimmy Qaapik (acclaimed)

Igloolik:

• George Auksaq*

• Celestino Uyarak (acclaimed)

• Edward Attagutaluk (acclaimed)

• Shanshan Tian (acclaimed)

• Amanda Curley (acclaimed)

• Ludger Makkik (acclaimed)

• Jacob Malliki (acclaimed)

• Celina Uttuigak (acclaimed)

Kimmirut:

• Maliktoo Lyta* (acclaimed)

• Terry Itulu (acclaimed)

• Mary Lyta (acclaimed)

• Terry Pitsiulak (acclaimed)

• Alashuk Allen (acclaimed)

Kinngait:

• Jimmy Manning* (acclaimed)

• Caleva Kelly (acclaimed)

• Andre Wilkinson (acclaimed)

• Marianne Emond (acclaimed)

• Kumaarjuk Pii (acclaimed)

• Etungat Wakta (acclaimed)

• Salomonie Ashoona (acclaimed)

• Juanisie Etidloi (acclaimed)

• Zeke Ejesiak Ejesiak (acclaimed)

Kugaaruk:

• Teddy Apsaktaun* (acclaimed)

• Guido Tigvareark (acclaimed)

• Fabiola Ihakkaq (acclaimed)

• Canute Krejunark (acclaimed)

• Nick Amautinuar (acclaimed)

Kugluktuk:

• Ryan Nivingalok*

• Lori Rudyk

• Lashawna Taipana

• Lucy Taipana

• Jodi Alderson

• Peter Taktogon

• Keisha Westwood

• Nadene McMenemy

• Angele Kuliktana

Naujaat:

• Kevin Tegumiar*

• Peter Mannik (acclaimed)

• John Goss (acclaimed)

• Steve Mapsalak (acclaimed)

• Levi Katokra (acclaimed)

• Rosie Kopak (acclaimed)

• Michel Akkuardjuk (acclaimed)

Pangnirtung:

• Lynn Meeka Mike*

• Janice Alivaktuk

• Delia Young

• Davidee Nauyuq

• Julai Alikatuktuk

• Sheila Kilabuk

• Jaco Ishulutak

• Davidee Kooneeliusie

• Markus Wilcke

Pond Inlet:

• Josh Arreak*

• Joshua Idlout (acclaimed)

• Elisirie Peterloosie (acclaimed)

• Guy Nutarariaq (acclaimed)

• E. Moses Koonark (acclaimed)

• Kadloo Cornelius Nutarak (acclaimed)

• Sharon Ootook (acclaimed)

Qikiqtarjuaq:

• Daisy Arnaquq* (acclaimed)

• Mika Nookiguak (acclaimed)

• Geela Qiyuqtaq (acclaimed)

• Jonah M. Audlakiak (acclaimed)

• Jonah Keeyookta (acclaimed)

Rankin Inlet:

• Harry Towtongie*

• Chris Eccles (acclaimed)

• Levi Curley (acclaimed)

• Michael Shouldice (acclaimed)

• David Jr./Nanuraq Kakuktinniq (acclaimed)

• Danny Kowmuk (acclaimed)

• Art Sateana (acclaimed)

• Martha Hickes (acclaimed)

Resolute Bay:

• Aziz Kheraj*

• Jazlin Salluviniq (acclaimed)

Sanikiluaq:

• Christina L'Heureux (acclaimed)

• Lucy Appaqaq (acclaimed)

• Sarah Kittosuk (acclaimed)

• Lucy Uppik (acclaimed)

• Dinah Kittosuk (acclaimed)

• Johnny Appaqaq (acclaimed)

• Johnny Inuktaluk (acclaimed)

Sanirajak:

• Manasee Ulayuk

• Irene Morgan

• Isaac Issigaitok

• Luther Triggs

• Trisha Grosset

• Iga Maliki

• Jopie Kaernerk

• Margaret Qayaqjuaq

Taloyoak:

• Lenny Panigayak*

• Dora Kelly Quayaut (acclaimed)

• James Saittuq (acclaimed)

• Fiona Neeveacheak (acclaimed)

• Solomon Iqalliyuq (acclaimed)

• David Totalik (acclaimed)

• Tommy Aiyout (acclaimed)

• Cecile Lyall (acclaimed)

Whale Cove:

• Oliver Shipton*

• Megan Angootealuk

• Joefrey Okalik

• Guy Enuapik

• Sam Arualak

• Mariah Okalik

• Molly Okalik

• Eva Voisey

• Michael Angutetuar