Call for Elections Canada probe after some Nunavik voters were unable to cast ballots
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An investigation is being demanded after some voters in Quebec's sprawling Nunavik region reportedly couldn't cast their votes at the ballot box Monday in the federal election.
Makivvik, the legal representative of Inuit in the province, said Tuesday it was 'deeply disappointed by the handling of the voting process in Nunavik by Elections Canada.' Nunatsiaq News reported limited polling hours at some stations, while others failed to open at all in the Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou riding in northern Quebec.
'We have learned that polling hours were inconsistent across many communities, and, alarmingly, that some communities were unable to vote altogether. This is unacceptable in 2025. In many cases, Nunavimmiut were effectively denied their right to participate in this election,' a statement from Makivvik reads.
Makivvik urged Elections Canada to investigate and 'take immediate steps to ensure that every Inuk in Nunavik has equal access to voting in future elections.'
'Nunavik Inuit, like all Canadians, deserve the right to have their voices heard, and it is the duty of Elections Canada and those who conduct elections in our region to ensure that voting access is equitable — regardless of geography,' Makivvik said.
When asked about the issues, Elections Canada pointed to difficulties hiring local staff and weather conditions, but didn't comment on the calls for an investigation.
'The returning officer attempted to implement several different strategies to provide voting services to communities,' spokesperson Serge Fleyfel wrote in an email.
'In several cases, it was not possible to recruit local teams. In other cases, harsh weather conditions have prevented access to communities.'
Liberal candidate Mandy Gull-Masty, the first woman to be elected Quebec Cree Grand Chief, beat incumbent Bloc Québécois MP Sylvie Bérubé in the riding.
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