Joe Savikataaq

The Honourable Joe Savikataaq MLA
Savikataaq in 2015
5th Premier of Nunavut
In office June 14, 2018 – November 19, 2021[1]
Commissioner	Nellie Kusugak Rebekah Williams (acting) Eva Aariak
Preceded by	Paul Quassa
Succeeded by	P.J. Akeeagok
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Arviat South
Incumbent
Assumed office October 28, 2013
Preceded by	riding established
Personal details
Born	(1960-12-08) December 8, 1960 (age 64)^[citation needed]
Political party	Non-Partisan
Spouse	Susan Savikataaq
Children	3
Residence(s)	Arviat, Nunavut
Occupation	Former conservation officer, current MLA in Nunavut and Premier of Nunavut

Joe Savikataaq (born c. 1960) 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.[5] 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]

References

1. "MLAs sworn in by Nunavut commissioner". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. "After Paul Quassa ejected, Nunavut chooses deputy as new premier". CTV News. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 2 August 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. "Nunavut election: Arviat South candidate profiles". CBC News. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
5. "The Honourable Joe Savikataaq | Nunavut Legislative Assembly". assembly.nu.ca. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
6. "'That boy is going to be premier one day': Meet Nunavut's P. J. Akeeagok". Retrieved 19 November 2021.
7. Trevor Knight, "MLA candidates on the issues: P. J. Akeeagok, Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu". Northern News Services, October 21, 2021.
8. iPolitics.ca: "Joe Savikataaq, former deputy, chosen new Nunavut premier"
9. "Hon. Joe Savikataaq ". Nunavut Trade Show and Conference, Retrieved July 13, 2021.
10. "New Arviat mayor reflects on the value of community services during a pandemic". CBC North, September 5, 2020.