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P.J. Akeeagok announces plans to not run in next election

Nunavut's premier cites wanting to spend more time with family as main reason for not seeking re-election
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Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced on Tuesday that he will not be seeking re-election when Nunavummiut head to the polls later this year. Photo courtesy of P.J. Akeeagok

In a SA国际影视传媒榝amily-firstSA国际影视传媒 decision, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced he will step away from politics during the upcoming fall election.

Akeeagok made the surprise announcement on his official government page Tuesday morning, just one day before the territory celebrated the 32nd year of Nunavut Day.

SA国际影视传媒淚 am stepping away because this is the right moment to spend more time with my young family SA国际影视传媒 time that public life often demands we set aside,SA国际影视传媒 Akeeagok said in his detailed post addressed to the people of Nunavut.

Born in Grise Fiord, Akeeagok attended Nunavut Sivuniksavut and then studied political science and Indigenous Studies at the University of Ottawa, where he met his wife Parniga.

Prior to entering the political arena, he was the two-term president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the organization that represents the rights and benefits of Qikiqtani Inuit.

He also held senior roles at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

At 36 years of age, he was elected as MLA in October 2021 to represent the riding of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu. In November, he was subsequently chosen to serve as premier by the newly-elected MLAs in the consensus-style government.

Achieving goals

Akeeagok cited numerous accomplishments in his nearly four years at the helm of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 newest territory.

When first elected, Akeeagok highlighted a magnitude of issues faced by the territory. He said the territory was in crisis and youth were crying out to be heard. He said solutions were needed for mental health and addictions issues, elder care at home, food insecurity, and affordable childcare. He called for partnerships with other governments to help build much needed housing in the territory. He also highlighted the fisheries industry as an alternative economic opportunity for communities not benefitting from the mining industry or government jobs.

In his address, he said negotiating the historic devolution agreement, the national early childhood agreement, the renewal of the Nunavut Agreement implementation contract, and the launch of Nunavut 3000 were among the achievements he felt stood out during his political term.

Confidence retained

It wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 always a smooth journey for Akeeagok, however, as he navigated through governing the vast territory. Dissent began growing within the legislature, with workplace culture, staff changes and transparency becoming issues of contention.

In 2024, Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki became critical of AkeeagokSA国际影视传媒檚 leadership style for its lack of transparency along with what he called a growing SA国际影视传媒渢oxic environmentSA国际影视传媒, and put forth a vote of non-confidence. A resulting narrow vote of 10-8 kept Akeeagok in his premierSA国际影视传媒檚 seat however, and he responded by calling the motion a SA国际影视传媒渟ledgehammerSA国际影视传媒 approach to the allegations.

Akeeagok said he anticipates future projects that SA国际影视传媒漴einforce Canadian sovereigntySA国际影视传媒 and respond to urgent community needs will help build a strong territory and will SA国际影视传媒渇orm the backbone of a stronger, more resilient Arctic rooted in Inuit valuesSA国际影视传媒, leading to a true partnership with Canada.

Akeeagok emphasized the reason for his departure from politics in his address, and gave no indication in his message of where the future may lead him.

SA国际影视传媒淚 remain deeply committed to public service and to the future of this territory, and I look forward to continuing that service in new and meaningful ways, wherever that path may lead.SA国际影视传媒