NTI Encourages Voter Participation in the 2024 Presidential Election with new incentives

(November 14, 2024 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) is holding an election for President on December 9, 2024. To encourage voter participation, NTI is running a number of incentives, which include providing $100 vouchers to all eligible voters who participate in the election, hosting an All Candidates Debate, and providing $5,000 credit to each candidate to support their travel to communities for campaigning purposes.

$100 Voucher
All eligible voters who show up at polling stations during Advance Polls on December 2nd, Mobile Polls between December 3 – 6th, or on Election Day on December 9th will receive a voucher worth $100 that can be re-deemed for a gift card or COA (charge on account) at their local Co-op store by December 31, 2024. Eligible voters in two Nunavut communities without a Co-op, Arviat and Clyde River, can redeem their voucher for a gift card at their local Northern store.

Voters in poll locations outside Nunavut will fill out a voucher application form to receive a mailed-out $100 Visa pre-paid card following the election. Polling stations outside the territory include Yellowknife, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

Any eligible voter who votes by proxy or mail ballot will also receive their $100 Visa cards in the mail after the election period.

All Candidates Debate
NTI, in partnership with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and Uvagut TV, is organizing an All Candidates Debate in Iqaluit, Nunavut at the Tisi in Inukshuk High School from 7–9pm ET on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

NTI will invite Nunavut Inuit to submit questions for consideration during the designated public question period, and the CBC will host the debate. The event will be livestreamed, more details to follow.

Campaigning in Communities
To provide candidates a level playing field to reach as many Nunavut communities as possible during the campaign period, NTI in partnership with Canadian North is providing each candidate with a $5,000 travel allowance to be used for campaigning purposes. Canadian North has provided all candidates unlimited use of the beneficiary rate to travel to Nunavut communities, and Calm Air provided all candidates with a discount of 90% off regular fares for the candidates to reach Kivalliq communities.

Article 39 of the Nunavut Agreement provides that NTI “shall … operate with accountability to, and democratic control by Inuit.” NTI, like many other public organizations, has experienced low voter turnouts in recent elections, and believes that Inuit participation in NTI elections is the first step towards accountability to and democratic control by Inuit. NTI Board of Directors approved the above measures in October 2024 to encourage Inuit participation in the upcoming Presidential Election.

All Nunavut Inuit, 16 years and older as of December 9, 2024, are eligible to vote.

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Media Contact:
Ivaluarjuk Merritt
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
media@tunngavik.com

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