BREAKING Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, who helped the provincial NDP return to power after 16 years on the sidelines, has died.
P.J. Akeeagok is still the premier of Nunavut after surviving a tight confidence vote in the Legislature on Wednesday.
In a 10-8 vote, MLAs defeated a motion to strip him of his premiership and remove him from cabinet.
"Well, I'm relieved," Akeeagok said in an interview minutes after the vote.
"I feel we've done some incredible work in the past three years that I feel so proud of."
On Monday Aivilik MLA Solomon Maliki advised the legislative assembly of his intent to move the motion, citing what he said was a lack of transparency in Akeeagok's leadership.
In Nunavut's consensus government system — where there are no political parties — MLAs elect the premier and the cabinet. The remaining MLAs, who essentially serve as the opposition, also have the power to remove the premier and cabinet because they outnumber the government.
Akeeagok had the support of his entire cabinet, along with three MLAs. Three other MLAs who are generally supportive of Akeeagok's leadership were absent from the legislature and were unable to vote.
In debating the motion, Iqaluit-Sinaa MLA Janet Brewster criticized Akeeagok and his leadership, saying he made "critical errors" that have had lasting impacts on the government.
She pointed to an early decision to remove an experienced civil servant who had worked for the Government of Nunavut for seven years and was in place as Akeeagok rose to the premier's office as a rookie MLA.
"Her unbiased advice would have been instrumental in advancing the (government's) mandate," Brewster told the legislature.
"Removing her at a time when we needed all hands on deck, stability, and experience was, I believe, a big misstep. And I never understood that because she was loyal to Nunavut and still demonstrates that."
Brewster also accused Akeeagok of creating a "toxic environment" through his decision-making. She pointed to his choice to create a new position within his office and appoint a friend to the role, a former aid from his days as president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
"Appointing someone without political experience to oversee all the individual cabinet staff members has led to division, and a toxic work environment, and an unfortunate turnover in cabinet members from what we see and hear," Brewster said.
Five cabinet ministers have resigned under Akeeagok's leadership, including two who had their portfolios stripped. The most recent minister to step down, who resigned three months into the job for personal reasons, was acclaimed to cabinet rather than face a nomination race, which is standard practice in Nunavut politics.
"I think she brought really valid points in terms of concerns she sees," Akeeagok said of Brewster's criticisms, adding he was surprised to hear accusations of toxicity.
"I'm really going to take and reflect and make sure if there's improvements we could make that we move quickly to address those concerns."
While she was the most critical of those who spoke about the motion, Brewster surprised many when she ultimately voted for Akeeagok to remain as premier.
Others who supported Akeeagok said it would have been poor timing to remove him with less than a year before Nunavummiut head to the polls, and spoke about the lack of egregiousness to justify removing him.
"There's been no scandal or serious breach of ethics and as such, I see no justification to bring down the government," said Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone.
"A non-confidence motion is a sledgehammer, and it's not going to fix anything" added health minister John Main. "If the desire is to fix things, then maybe we need to use a screwdriver or a socket set."
The next territorial general election is set for Oct. 27, 2025.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, who helped the provincial NDP return to power after 16 years on the sidelines, has died.
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
Canada's postal workers could walk off the job or the company could lock them out as soon as 12:01 a.m. ET Friday if the union and the company don't reach an agreement. Here are tips for shoppers and businesses.
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is conducting a "thorough investigation" to ensure it "is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."
Saint Mary's University archeologist Jonathan Fowler is sounding an alarm with a new study. According to Fowler, the centuries-old architecture that adds to Halifax’s heritage and historic vibe is slowly being wiped away as the city grows.
Bev Priestman is out as coach of the Canadian women's soccer team in the wake of an independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal.
President-elect Donald Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Trump announced Tuesday.
Four years ago, Phill Hebb started up "Phil’s Unique Birdhouses" and since then, they’ve made their way all across Canada and into the United States.
A New Brunswick fashion designer recently won the top prize at a national event for a dress she made using an unconventional material.
Dr. Ronald Weiss, who performed nearly 60,000 vasectomies on Ottawa men, establishing him as the "Wayne Gretzky" of the procedure, has died.
A congestion crisis, a traffic nightmare, or unrelenting gridlock -- whatever you call it, most agree that Toronto has a congestion problem. To alleviate some of the gridlock, the Ontario government has announced it plans to remove bike lanes from three major roadways.
For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.
Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.
A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.