Days after the release of Elections Canada’s report on the events in Nunavik during the federal election, Russ Johnson remains upset and dissatisfied. Expressing his frustration from Montreal, Johnson criticized the report for providing incomplete information and not fully addressing the issues.
The report, published last Thursday, acknowledged various deficiencies that resulted in the early closure of polling stations in half of Nunavik’s villages on election day. In Akulivik and Ivujivik, no voting services were available at all. The shortcomings highlighted included a lack of meaningful engagement with local communities, an approved plan by Elections Canada headquarters without adequate consultation, and the failure of the returning officer to conduct necessary outreach before the voting day.
Johnson, who previously resided in Nunavik and volunteered for Liberal MP Mandy Gull-Masty’s campaign in the region, is demanding further clarification. He questioned why polling staff were allowed to leave early due to weather conditions despite secured accommodations and why the necessary community outreach was neglected.
The root of many problems, according to Johnson, lies in the distant management of operations by individuals from southern regions like Val-d’Or. He emphasized the need for more localized decision-making and understanding of the unique needs of Nunavik residents.
Mayor Adamie Kalingo of Ivujivik recalled the brief visit of Elections Canada staff to his community, leaving without conducting any voting processes. Feeling neglected, Kalingo stressed the importance of inclusivity and proper preparation for future elections to ensure proper representation and participation from Nunavik residents.
The report also highlighted instances where voting services were provided exclusively by French-speaking staff in locations where Inuktitut and English are the dominant languages. Elections Canada aims to collaborate with local communities for recruiting and training personnel who understand the language and cultural context, emphasizing the necessity of early and meaningful engagement.
Furthermore, the report suggested recommendations for enhanced community engagement, accountability of returning officers, and the establishment of dedicated teams with knowledge of Indigenous and northern communities to support election planning and execution. Johnson expressed skepticism towards these recommendations and called for an independent audit to assess the election handling in Nunavik objectively.
Elections Canada clarified that they have the authority to conduct independent audits and inquiries, with the decision to conduct an inquiry in Nunavik’s case. Following the election, MP Mandy Gull-Masty expressed her commitment to introducing legislation in Parliament to address the identified shortcomings and hold Elections Canada accountable for necessary changes, marking a crucial step forward in improving the electoral process in the region.