Days after the release of the Elections Canada report on the Nunavik federal election, Russ Johnson remains deeply upset and dissatisfied. Johnson expressed his frustration with what he perceives as incomplete truths and acknowledgments from the report. The report, issued on Thursday, highlighted various deficiencies that resulted in early closures of polling stations in half of Nunavik’s 14 villages, with no voting services available in Akulivik and Ivujivik on election day.
Among the identified issues were a lack of meaningful engagement with local communities, approved by Elections Canada headquarters, and the returning officer’s failure to conduct essential community outreach before the voting day. Johnson, a former Nunavik resident who volunteered for Liberal MP Mandy Gull-Masty’s campaign in the region, continues to seek answers. He questions why polling staff were permitted to leave early due to adverse weather conditions despite having secured accommodations. Additionally, he is puzzled by the absence of pre-voting day community outreach.
Johnson attributes many of the election problems to the influence of individuals from southern locations overseeing operations in Nunavik. He criticized the centralized decision-making process from Val d’Or, a small area controlling the entire riding.
Ivujivik Mayor Adamie Kalingo recalled Elections Canada staff briefly visiting his community without conducting any voting activities, leaving the residents feeling neglected. Kalingo emphasized the importance of Nunavimmiut not being overlooked, expressing optimism that the report will lead to positive changes in future election processes.
The report highlighted instances where only unilingual French-speaking staff provided voting services despite Inuktitut being the predominant language. Elections Canada plans to collaborate with each community to recruit and train locals who understand the language and community dynamics, emphasizing the necessity of early and meaningful engagement.
The report’s recommendations include increased community engagement by the returning officer, enhanced accountability, and the implementation of a formal escalation protocol. It also suggests dedicated teams with knowledge of Indigenous and northern communities to assist returning officers in planning and executing elections.
Johnson dismissed the recommendation for dedicated teams as obvious, stressing the need for an independent audit to assess the election handling in Nunavik. Elections Canada clarified its authority to conduct independent audits and inquiries, opting for an inquiry in Nunavik’s case.
Following the election, MP Mandy Gull-Masty expressed her intention to introduce a bill in Parliament addressing the identified shortcomings from the Elections Canada report. She emphasized her commitment to supporting constituents and holding Elections Canada accountable for necessary changes.
In conclusion, the report serves as an initial step towards addressing the election issues in Nunavik, with stakeholders like Johnson and Gull-Masty advocating for further actions to improve the electoral process in the region.