Joe Savikataaq sets sights on return as Nunavut premier as election day approaches
CBC
Nunavut residents go to the polls Oct. 25 to elect new members to their legislative assembly.
But there will be no election in the constituency of South Arviat. That's because Joe Savikataaq, the outgoing premier, was acclaimed to his seat Sept. 20 when the deadline for declarations of candidacy closed. Savikataaq said he was "pleasantly" surprised about the acclamation.
He said he considers this to be a vote of confidence for his being a "good MLA."
"It shows people are happy with my performance," Savikataaq said. His acclamation as MLA for Arviat South is moreover "the first hurdle" passed on the way to leading Nunavut again as premier.
Savikataaq said he's going to run again for premier and that he's the only one among the 58 candidates with experience in the role.
He was elected to serve on the executive council during the 2017 Nunavut Leadership Forum. After the territory's premier Paul Quassa was ousted in June 2018, Savikataaq was elected Nunavut's fifth premier and continued on as Minister of the Environment.
Savikataaq describes himself as consistent, hardworking and a Nunavummiut. Due to the acclamation, Savikataaq has not been campaigning. There are no posters, no buttons or pamphlets being distributed in the community of about 3,000 where Arviat's other MLA John Main was also acclaimed, Savikataaq said.