Two of our three northern territories held elections in the past week, and it’s time to get up-to-speed on who won and what it might mean for our country and the issues we’re facing.
Two Consequential Elections
We keep saying this, but it bears repeating: Canada is only as great as the parts that make the whole. We work as a nation because of our distinct regions and the important attributes each bring to the table – economically, environmentally, and socially.
So, why are two territorial elections consequential? Because they determine who has the power to govern large swaths of our country on matters that are of increasing importance to our nation.
National sovereignty? Economic security? Climate change and biodiversity? Each of these issues, in many ways, will impact and be impacted by decisions made in the north. And remember: in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s trade war and against the backdrop of global tensions (namely with Russia and China), issues of Arctic sovereignty are front and centre. That means who speaks for the north matters hugely to everything we’ve been discussing here in class.
To better understand the issue of Arctic sovereignty and why it matters to us all, no matter where we call home, watch this:
Why Do We Even Have Territories?
Have you ever wondered why we have territories and how they differ from provinces? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.
A territory is a region that has its own government but gets its power from the federal government, while a province has its powers guaranteed directly by the Canadian Constitution. That might sound like nuance, but it’s not.
- Provinces: Have constitutional status and more independence. They get their authority from the Constitution and can make laws and control areas like education, health, and natural resources.
- Territories: Have powers delegated by the federal government, not from the Constitution. The federal government makes more decisions for them and can change their powers more easily.
- Governance: Provinces have a lieutenant governor representing the Crown, while territories have a commissioner who represents the federal government instead of the Crown.
- Why the Distinction: Territories cover much larger areas than our provinces, yet have much smaller populations compared to the provinces – and, yes, that includes PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Fun Fact: Nunavut, while a territory, is just called Nunavut. The Yukon, while also a territory, is simply called Yukon – they dropped ‘territory’ from their name in 2002. And the Northwest Territories, despite being a singular territory, is always referred to in the plural. The more you know!
Conservative Shift in the Yukon
On November 3rd, Yukon voters elected a new government and a new official opposition. Here’s what happened:
Election Structure
- The Yukon – like all of our provinces, but unlike our other two territories (more on that below) – uses a party-based, first-past-the-post electoral system.
- Voters elect local representatives from political parties, and the party with the most seats typically forms government.
Results
- The Yukon Party – a conservative party in all but name – won a majority government, ending a prolonged period of Liberal governance.
- Currie Dixon, the party leader, will be sworn in as premier and lead his 14-member government in the 21-seat legislature.
- The Liberals were reduced to just one seat, while the Kate White-led NDP won six seats and will form the Official Opposition.
Key Outcomes
- While Yukoners voted for change, they also voted to prioritize the cost-of-living crisis and invest in crime reduction as well as health care infrastructure in rural communities.
- The Trump trade war was less front and centre in this election, unlike the last federal election, but issues of Arctic sovereignty were addressed, with all parties committing to ensuring that northern voices will be heard on national issues like defense and the environment.
- Though the environment wasn’t a major issue in this campaign, unlike federal politics, all parties support protecting the Yukon’s biodiversity, developing resources sustainably, and preparing for the impact of climate change.
Something to Watch
- A non-binding plebiscite (essentially a referendum) was approved to reform Yukon elections, shifting from a First Past the Post system to a more proportional system that will use ranked ballots. Will the new government adhere to the results and change its electoral system? Stay tuned!
A New Nunavut Consensus
On October 27th, Nunavut voters went to the polls to elect a new consensus government. A consensus-what? Let’s get into it:
Election Structure
- Unlike the 10 provinces and the Yukon, Nunavut (like the Northwest Territories) uses a unique consensus government model: all candidates run as independents, and after they’re elected to the legislature, the MLAs work together to select a premier and cabinet.
- Obviously, individual MLAs have different opinions and ideologies, but this model is meant to reflect traditional Inuit approaches to leadership and encourage cooperation over partisanship.
Results
- Outgoing premier P.J. Akeeagok did not stand for re-election, meaning there will be a new premier.
- 22 seats were up for grabs in the election, with eight MLAs re-elected, 11 MLAs elected for the first time, and three seats still too close to call.
- In the coming days, there will be judicial recounts in the three close ridings, and once the final makeup of the legislature is determined, a premier and cabinet will be selected – likely by mid-month.
Key Outcomes
- The election had the lowest voter turnout in history, largely thanks to apathy brought on by a lack of progress on issues that matter to Nunavut voters.
- Like the Yukon and so many regions in Canada, voters were focused on the cost-of-living crisis, as well as severe housing shortages, youth opportunities, and community infrastructure.
- Though the lone federal Nunavut riding narrowly went to the NDP, don’t expect a leftward shift from the new Nunavut consensus government. Territory-level political values of community consensus will continue to reign over party-driven ideology, even if elected MLAs individually share an ideology with a federal political party.
Take Home Message
The results from the elections held in both territories highlight ongoing northern priorities: land rights, Indigenous governance, ecological integrity, and infrastructure. For Canada, these elections reinforce the urgent need to address issues of Arctic sovereignty, as climate change opens new navigation routes and resource access, intensifying competition in a more dangerous world. Both new governments will likely press for stronger environmental protections alongside economic development – and demand a bigger say for northerners and Indigenous people in Ottawa’s Arctic strategies, especially as pressures from other Arctic nations grow.