The Canadian

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 territory of Nunavut

Nunavut

Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...

conducted its second general election

Election

An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...

 on February 16, 2004, to elect the 19 members of the Legislative Assembly

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada, is located in Iqaluit, and is the territory's parliament.The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, on 7 October 2002, during her Golden Jubilee tour of Canada...

.

Premier Paul Okalik

Paul Okalik

Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory....

 asked for the five-year-old territory's first parliament to be dissolved on January 16.

The territory operates on a consensus government

Consensus government

Consensus government is a form of consensus democracy government in Canada in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, as well as Nunatsiavut, an autonomous area in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....

 system with no political parties

Political party

A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...

; the premier is subsequently chosen by and from the MLAs. There were 11,285 registered voters at the time of the election call.

Issues

Issues at the election included:

• the size of the civil service;
• the territory's Human Rights Act;
• education;
• language and culture.

Results

Elections were held in 18 of the 19 electoral districts. Rankin Inlet North

Rankin Inlet North

Rankin Inlet North is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Rankin Inlet.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Tagak Curley.-1999 election:...

 acclaimed its MLA. The following is a list of the districts with their candidates.

District	Incumbent	Elected	Percentage	Defeated candidates
Akulliq Akulliq Akulliq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay.-1999 election:-2004 election:-2008 election:...	Ovide Alakannuark Ovide Alakannuark Ovide Alakannuark is a former territorial level politician in Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 until 2004....	Steve Mapsalak Steve Mapsalak Steve Mapsalak is a Canadian politician, who has served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Akulliq in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. He won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election.According to preliminary results, he was narrowly defeated by John Ningark...	34.86%	George Bohlender, Joani Kringayark, John Ningark John Ningark John Ningark is a territorial level politician in Canada. He is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.-Political history:... , Roland Tungilik
Amittuq Amittuq Amittuq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Hall Beach and Igloolik.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Louis Tapardjuk.-1999 election:...	Enoki Irqittuq Enoki Irqittuq Enoki Irqittuq is a former territorial level politician in Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 until 2004....	Louis Tapardjuk Louis Tapardjuk Louis Tapardjuk in an igloo northwest of Igloolik, Nunavut) is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Amittuq having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election...	39.63%	Solomon Allurut, Enoki Irqittuq
Arviat Arviat (electoral district) Arviat is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada. The riding consists of the community of Arviat...	Kevin O'Brien	David Alagalak David Alagalak David Alagalak is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Arviat in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008....	36.53%	Peter Alareak, Peter Two Aulatjut, Kevin O'Brien, Jay Saint, Kono Tattuinee
Baker Lake Baker Lake (electoral district) Baker Lake is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada. The riding consists of the community of Baker Lake. The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is David Simailak....	Glenn McLean Glenn McLean Glenn McLean is a former territorial level politician in Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 until 2004....	David Simailak David Simailak David Simailak from Baker Lake was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Baker Lake having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election...	48.22%	David Aksawnee, Becky Kudloo, David Toolooktook Sr.
Cambridge Bay Cambridge Bay (electoral district) Cambridge Bay is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding, which consists of the communities of Bathurst Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Umingmaktok, came into existence for the first Nunavut general election...	Kelvin Ng Kelvin Ng Kelvin Ng is a former territorial and municipal level politician in Canada who was elected in both the Nunavut Legislature and Northwest Territories Legislature....	Keith Peterson Keith Peterson Alan Keith Peterson was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada and lives in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. He is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Cambridge Bay having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election....	54.09%	Harry Ambrose M. Aknavigak, David Kaosoni, Harry Maksagak
Hudson Bay Hudson Bay (electoral district) Hudson Bay is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Sanikiluaq.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Allan Rumbolt.-1999 election:-2004 election:...	Peter Kattuk	Peter Kattuk Peter Kattuk Peter Kattuk is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Hudson Bay in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008....	42.76%	Moses Appaqaq Moses Appaqaq Moses Appaqaq Jr. is a soap stone carver former retail clerk, and a former territorial level politician from Sanikiluaq, Northwest Territories .... , Joe Arragutainaq, Kupapik Ningeocheak, Johnny Tookalook
Iqaluit Centre Iqaluit Centre Iqaluit Centre is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Iqaluit.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Hunter Tootoo.-1999 election:-2004 election:...	Hunter Tootoo	Hunter Tootoo Hunter Tootoo Hunter Tootoo is a politician in Nunavut, Canada. He is a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, and has also sought election to the Canadian House of Commons....	44.8%	Natsiq Alainga-Kango, Mike Courtney, Kevin MacCormack, Pauloosie Paniloo Pauloosie Paniloo Pauloosie Paniloo was a territorial level politician. He served as a member of the Northwest Territories Legislature from 1983 to 1987. He was also a member of the Canadian Rangers, serving as a ranger for 28 years.-Canadian Rangers:Paniloo joined the Canadian Rangers in 1979... , Mary Ellen Thomas
Iqaluit East Iqaluit East Iqaluit East is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the easterly portions of Iqaluit and the community of Apex....	Ed Picco	Ed Picco Ed Picco Edward "Ed" Walter Picco is a Canadian Nunavut politician first elected in the 1995 Northwest Territories election. He was re-elected in the 1999 Nunavut election and in the 2004 Nunavut election...	70.68%	John Amagoalik, Norman Ishulutak
Iqaluit West Iqaluit West Iqaluit West is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Iqaluit....	Paul Okalik	Paul Okalik Paul Okalik Paul Okalik MLA is a Canadian politician. He is the first Inuk member called to the Nunavut Bar, the first Premier of Nunavut and the only multi-term premier of a Canadian territory....	76.99%	Doug Workman
Kugluktuk Kugluktuk (electoral district) Kugluktuk is the most western territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Kugluktuk in the Kitikmeot....	Donald Havioyak Donald Havioyak Donald Havioyak is a territorial level politician in Canada. He served as a member of the Nunavut Legislature.Havioyak was elected to the Nunavut legislature in the 1999 Nunavut general election. He won the Kugluktuk electoral district with a plurality of six votes defeating three other candidates...	Joe Allen Evyagotailak Joe Allen Evyagotailak Joe Allen Evyagotailak was born 15 July 1953 in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada. Evyagotailak was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Kugluktuk having won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election....	40.41%	Donald Havioyak, Millie Kuliktana
Nanulik Nanulik Nanulik is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Johnny Ningeongan....	Patterk Netser	Patterk Netser Patterk Netser Patterk Netser is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nanulik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008....	34.92%	Emily Beardsall, Willy Nakoolak, Bernard Putulik Sr.
Nattilik Nattilik Nattilik is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak....	Uriash Puqiqnak Uriash Puqiqnak Uriash Puqiqnak, CM is an experienced soapstone carver and former territorial and municipal level politician in Canada. He served as Mayor of Gjoa Haven, Nunavut and was a member of the Nunavut Legislature from 1999 until 2004.-Carving:...	Leona Aglukkaq Leona Aglukkaq Leona Aglukkaq, PC, MP is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative in the 2008 Canadian federal election for the riding of Nunavut....	42.84%	Tom Akoak, Anthony Anguttitauruq, David Irqiut, Simon Qingnaqtuq, Sonny Porter, Ruediger H.J. Rasch
Pangnirtung Pangnirtung (electoral district) Pangnirtung is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Pangnirtung....	Peter Kilabuk	Peter Kilabuk Peter Kilabuk Peter Kilabuk is a Canadian politician, who was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Pangnirtung in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008....	61.87%	Simeonie Keenainak Simeonie Keenainak Simeonie Keenainak is an Inuit accordionist and retired RCMP officer from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada. He is also a photographer and hunter. He has performed at the Pangnirtung Music Festival and was featured in regional and national media for his musicianship and cultural community...
Quttiktuq Quttiktuq Quttiktuq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord, Nanisivik and Resolute.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Ron Elliott....	Rebekah Williams Rebekah Williams Rebekah Uqi Williams is a former territorial level politician. She served as a member of the Nunavut Legislature from 2000 until 2004.Williams was elected in a by-election in the Quttiktuq electoral district on December 4, 2000...	Levi Barnabas Levi Barnabas Levi Barnabas is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in 1995 and served until Nunavut was created in 1999...	43.94%	Lucas Amagoalik, Pauloosie Attagootak, Larry Audlaluk, Anthony Ullikatar, Rebekah Williams
Rankin Inlet North Rankin Inlet North Rankin Inlet North is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Rankin Inlet.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Tagak Curley.-1999 election:...	Jack Anawak Jack Anawak Jack Iyerak Anawak is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Nunatsiaq in the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1997. He sat in the house as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada...	Tagak Curley Tagak Curley Tagak Curley is an Inuit leader, politician and businessman from Nunavut. As a prominent figure in the negotiations that led to the creation of Nunavut, Tagak is considered a living father of confederation in Canada...	acclaimed	none
Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Lorne Kusugak....	Manitok Thompson Manitok Thompson Manitok Catherine Thompson is a politician from northern Canada.Manitok was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in a by-election held on May 8, 1995 held following the resignation of James Arvaluk...	Levinia Brown Levinia Brown Levinia Brown is a Canadian politician, who served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008...	38.87%	Jerry Ell, Percy Kabloona, Ishmael Naulalik, Solomon Voisey
South Baffin South Baffin South Baffin is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Fred Schell.-1999 election:...	Olayuk Akesuk	Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk Olayuk Akesuk is a politician from Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada. Akesuk was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of South Baffin from 1999 to 2008, having won the seat in the 1999 Nunavut election...	58.94%	Malicktoo Lyta, Martha Lyta
Tunnuniq Tunnuniq Tunnuniq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the community of Pond Inlet.The riding was previously held by Member of the Legislative Assembly Jobie Nutarak.-History:...	Jobie Nutarak	Jobie Nutarak Jobie Nutarak Jobie Nutarak was a politician from Nunavut in northern Canada.Nutarak was born in Pond Inlet on Baffin Island. He was elected to the district of Tunnuniq in 1999 and was re-elected in 2004. In 2004 he was elected to the position of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, being the first...	31.84%	Appitaq Enuaraq, Sam Omik, David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq
Uqqummiut Uqqummiut Uqqummiut is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq.The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is James Arreak.-1999 election:...	David Iqaqrialu David Iqaqrialu David Iqaqrialu is a former territorial level politician from Nunavut, Canada. He served as a member of the Nunavut Legislature from 1999 until 2004.Iqaqrialu was first elected to the Nunavut Legislature in the 1999 Nunavut general election...	James Arreak James Arreak James Arreak is a territorial and municipal level politician in Canada. He has served as a member of both the Nunavut and Northwest Territories legislatures.Arreak is from Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada....	27.06%	Stevie Audlakiak, Phoebe Palluq Hainnu, Peter Iqalukjuak, David Iqaqrialu, Samuel Nuqingaq, Lootie Toomasie

Source: Results (CBC News)

In the main, Nunavummiut decided to stay with their present legislature. The premier, four cabinet ministers, and three other MLAs were re-elected; five incumbents were defeated, including former speaker of the house Kevin O'Brien. Only two women were elected to the 19-seat legislature.

Premier Paul Okalik was given a firm endorsement by the voters in his riding. He faced a strong challenge for the premier's job from Tagak Curley, who was acclaimed to his seat. However, Okalik was returned to the premiership on March 5, 2004, by the new legislature. http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/03/05/canada/nunavut_premier040305

Miscellaneous

For the first time, residents of several tiny, isolated communities were able to vote by satellite phone.

Voter turnout

Voter turnout

Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election . After increasing for many decades, there has been a trend of decreasing voter turnout in most established democracies since the 1960s...

was 98%; in 8 of the 18 ridings it was higher than 100% (as high as 134% in Kugluktuk) since there was no door-to-door enumeration and voter registration is permitted at the polling station.

External links

• Elections Nunavut
• CBC: Nunavut Votes 2004
• Nunavut Legislative Assembly
• About Nunavut
• About Consensus Government (Government of the Northwest Territories)