Joe Savikataaq Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Joe Savikataaq
Birth Date:8 December 1960
Residence:Arviat, Nunavut
Office:5th Premier of Nunavut
1Blankname:Commissioner
1Namedata:Nellie Kusugak
Rebekah Williams
Eva Aariak
Term Start:June 14, 2018
Term End:November 19, 2021[1]
Predecessor:Paul Quassa
Successor:P.J. Akeeagok
Office2:Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Arviat South
Term Start2:October 28, 2013
Predecessor2:riding established
Party:Non-Partisan
Spouse:Susan Savikataaq
Children:3
Occupation:Former conservation officer, current MLA in Nunavut and Premier of Nunavut

Joe Savikataaq (born) is a Canadian politician who served as the fifth premier of Nunavut from 2018 to 2021. He was elected premier on June 14, 2018 by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, after his predecessor Paul Quassa lost a no-confidence vote.[2] [3]

Politics

Savikataaq was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2013 election and represents the electoral district of Arviat South. He was re-elected in the same district in 2017.[4]

Savikataaq served in numerous political positions since entering politics. These include Deputy Premier of Nunavut, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation of Nunavut, Minister of Community and Government Services of Nunavut, and Minister of Energy of Nunavut.[5]

Savikataaq was elected as premier on June 14, 2018. He was re-elected in the 2021 election. P.J. Akeeagok was selected to become premier in the Nunavut Leadership Forum on November 17, 2021 defeating Savikataaq.[6] [7]

Personal life

Prior to politics, Savikataaq worked as a conservation officer for almost 30 years. He is a scuba diver and a small airplane pilot.[8]

He is married to Susan Savikataaq, and has 3 children, Joe Jr., Wendy, and Jamie. He has 9 grandchildren.[9]

His son, Joe Savikataaq Jr., became mayor of Arviat in March 2020 following the death of Bob Leonard.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MLAs sworn in by Nunavut commissioner. November 19, 2021. Nunatsiaq News.
  2. Web site: After Paul Quassa ejected, Nunavut chooses deputy as new premier. CTV News. June 14, 2018. August 2, 2019.
  3. Sara Frizzell, "Joe Savikataaq is the new premier of Nunavut, after non-confidence vote ousts former leader". CBC News, June 14, 2018.
  4. Web site: Nunavut election: Arviat South candidate profiles . May 25, 2020 . CBC News . October 8, 2013.
  5. Web site: The Honourable Joe Savikataaq Nunavut Legislative Assembly. 2020-06-19. assembly.nu.ca.
  6. Web site: 'That boy is going to be premier one day': Meet Nunavut's P. J. Akeeagok. November 19, 2021.
  7. Trevor Knight, "MLA candidates on the issues: P. J. Akeeagok, Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu". Northern News Services, October 21, 2021.
  8. https://ipolitics.ca/2018/06/15/joe-savikataaq-former-deputy-chosen-new-nunavut-premier/ iPolitics.ca: "Joe Savikataaq, former deputy, chosen new Nunavut premier"
  9. https://nts2019.sched.com/speaker/premiersoffice "Hon. Joe Savikataaq "
  10. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/new-arviat-mayor-reflects-on-the-value-of-strong-community-services-during-a-pandemic-1.5708237 "New Arviat mayor reflects on the value of community services during a pandemic"