Government & Legislature
Government of Nunavut programs, decisions and Legislative Assembly work.
Hudson Bay byelection voting set for Sept. 28; candidate declarations close Friday
Elections Nunavut says the Hudson Bay constituency byelection in Sanikiluaq will be held Sept. 28, 2026. Candidate declaration week runs Aug. 24–28, meaning prospective candidates have until Friday to complete that step. The election page currently lists Jason Iqaluq as a candidate, but declarations remain open. Sourceelections.nu.ca↗
Nunavut accepts major increase in Baffin Island caribou harvest, from 550 to 6,000 tags
The Government of Nunavut has accepted the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s decision to raise the Baffin Island caribou total allowable harvest to 6,000 tags for the July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 season, up from 550. Female-harvest restrictions and mandatory sample submissions have also ended, but harvesters still need a local allocation and must report harvests. Sourcepremier.gov.nu.ca↗
CSFN’s 2025–30 plan calls for Inuktitut instruction, cultural programming and greater autonomy
The Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut’s published 2025–30 strategic plan sets a five-year direction that includes introducing Inuktitut as a second language at the school, systematically integrating Inuit traditional knowledge and francophone cultural activities, and improving transparency and community collaboration. It also lists organizational autonomy and a presence across Nunavut as objectives. The document is a roadmap, not a funding approval, service launch or confirmation that the listed measures are already in place. Sourcecsfn.ca↗
Iqaluit reports $879,206 general-fund surplus through March 31; land fund also showed a Q1 surplus
Iqaluit staff presented first-quarter budget-variance tables to the Governance and Priorities Committee of the Whole on Aug. 18. The tables show a $879,206 general-fund surplus through March 31, alongside surpluses of $178,156 in the land fund, $878,039 in sanitation and $4.11 million in water and sewer. This was an information item, not a budget amendment, audit finding or Council approval. SourceCity of Iqaluit↗
Nunavut francophone school board schedules public meeting for Sept. 23
The Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut says its next board meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at 7 p.m., in person at the CSFN office in Iqaluit and by videoconference. No agenda or meeting documents have yet been posted. Sourcecsfn.ca↗
Nunavut francophone school board approves push for full management autonomy
The Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut approved a May 20 resolution to pursue full management autonomy and negotiate a transfer of governance, human-resources and financial responsibilities with the Government of Nunavut. The resolution starts a negotiation process; it is not a signed agreement, funding approval or completed transfer. Sourcecsfn.ca↗
House committee urges essential-service law and funding reforms for Indigenous policing
A House of Commons committee’s June report recommends federal legislation recognizing Indigenous policing as an essential service, along with stable multi-year funding and changes to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. It is a recommendation to government, not approved legislation or funding. The committee says it did not hear Inuit witnesses on policing, limiting direct Nunavut conclusions. Sourceourcommons.ca↗
Hudson Bay by-election set for Sept. 28; candidate declarations run Aug. 24–28
Elections Nunavut says a by-election for the Hudson Bay constituency will be held Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. Prospective candidates have a five-day declaration period from Aug. 24 to Aug. 28.
Nunavut nursing regulator separates advocacy role and sets new rules for independent nurses
The College of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut has been operating solely as a public-protection regulator since April 1, 2026, while a new independent association handles professional advocacy. The College also approved an independent-practice standard and has issued an updated registration manual for nurses working or applying in Nunavut.
Iqaluit’s published tax-arrears total rises to $5.3M; City has not announced a tax-sale plan
The City of Iqaluit’s newly published 2025 property-tax arrears list reports $5.30 million owing on properties with more than $500 in arrears, up from $4.54 million on the previous year’s list. Nunavut law allows the City to offer eligible properties or registered leasehold interests for public auction after they remain on an arrears list past Dec. 31, but the City’s July notice announces payment-plan help—not an auction, deadline or collection initiative.
NEU posts full Nunavut government contract, detailing raises and Iqaluit allowance
The Nunavut Employees Union posted the full Government of Nunavut collective agreement on July 30, making the terms of the already-signed 2024–28 deal publicly accessible. The agreement sets four wage increases, including a 9% increase effective September 30, 2024, and lists Iqaluit’s annual northern allowance at $16,328 for 2026 and $16,818 for 2027.
Nunavut tables draft devolution laws as Iqaluit prepares for a larger territorial role in land and water decisions
Nunavut has released four draft laws needed for its planned April 1, 2027 takeover of Crown-land, inland-water and resource-management responsibilities from Canada. The package is not yet before the Legislative Assembly as bills, but it shows how the territory intends to keep existing licences, boards and regulatory processes operating through the transition. For Iqaluit, the immediate change is government restructuring and staffing—not a confirmed change to city services or a known round of job cuts.