The seventh Nunavut Legislative Assembly chose Arviat-Whale Cove MLA John Main as premier on Nov. 18.
He prevailed over David Akeeagok, who is MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, and formerly the representative for Quttiktuq.
In the last government, Main served as Minister of Health, Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation and Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention.
The new group of MLAs — most elected in the Oct. 27 territorial election — also selected South Baffin MLA David Joanasie the new Speaker. He will be responsible for enforcing the rules of the legislative assembly, ensuring order and maintaining decorum.
Joanasie was acclaimed in his riding.
Nunavut has a unique style of governing in Canada, shared with the NWT, that is described as a consensus-style government.
After MLAs are elected by the general public in the territorial election, they form the legislative assembly to begin the process of governing the territory.
MLAs vote for who they want to serve on cabinet as well as who will fill the role of premier and speaker.
The number of executive council members can change with each new government, however, the executive council cannot make up the majority of members in the legislative assembly.
In other words, cabinet always has the minority share of votes in the assembly and requires non-government MLAs to vote with the executive council to pass laws.
There are 22 MLAs that makeup the Nunavut Legislative Assembly, however, there were only 21 at the leadership forum this year.
That’s because two candidates tied for MLA following the election in Aggu, which covers much of Iglulik.
Another election will be held in Aggu on Dec. 15 to determine who will represent that electoral district.
There are no political parties in Nunavut at the territorial level, and all MLAs are independent.
Executive council members get assigned ministerial portfolios by the premier.
The premier can take a ministerial position away from an executive council member, but only a majority vote in the legislative assembly can remove an executive council member from the governing body.
Independent officers are chosen by the whole of the legislative assembly, not just cabinet.
Those independent officers are chief electoral officer, information and privacy commissioner, integrity commissioner, languages commissioner, auditor general and the representative for children and youth.
Standing committees, made up in part by non-government MLAs, have the power to review business and legislative plans before they reach the floor of the legislative assembly.
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