Elections Canada has admitted that the voting process in Nunavik faced significant challenges during the recent federal election due to insufficient planning and oversight, resulting in some polling stations closing prematurely.

In the aftermath of the April 28 election, Elections Canada recognized that a lack of staff led to the early closure of polling stations in Nunavik, preventing some voters from casting their ballots. A report released by Elections Canada highlighted that the plan by the returning officer did not involve meaningful engagement with the local communities.

The report indicated that the lack of completion of pre-event activities related to community outreach in the northern regions limited local participation and affected service delivery. The returning officer in the Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou riding reported that community leaders were not consulted on the voting services offered, leading to challenges in recruiting poll workers.

Elections Canada’s investigation revealed significant gaps in election preparations and a lack of communication with managers regarding issues. Consequently, many electors in Nunavik were either denied the opportunity to vote or encountered obstacles in exercising their voting rights.

The report disclosed that six communities did not receive advance voting services, with seven having limited access. On election day, two communities had no voting services, seven had partial services, and five had full services. Elections Canada acknowledged that the problems in Nunavik during the election highlighted broader issues and committed to addressing barriers for Indigenous voters.

Notably, 90% of Nunavik’s population are Inuit, predominantly speaking Inuktitut. Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault apologized to the Kativik Regional Government in Quebec for the voting challenges faced by community members during a visit to Kuujjuaq in northern Quebec in September.

The report included recommendations for the returning officer to enhance community engagement, accountability, and establish a formal escalation protocol. It also proposed the formation of specialized teams with expertise in Indigenous and northern community realities to assist in election planning and execution.

Elections Canada has pledged to implement these recommendations before the next spring elections.