List of premiers of Nunavut
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The Canadian territory of Nunavut was formed on April 1, 1999, through the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act. Nunavut, since its formation, has had a consensus government. In a consensus government, the premier is elected by the non-partisan members of the Legislative Assembly. Prior to April 1, 1999, the land that Nunavut occupies was part of the Northwest Territories.[1]
The territory's first premier, Paul Okalik, was elected after the 1999 general election. He was re-elected to a second term after the 2004 general election.[2] Although Okalik was re-elected to a third term after the 2008 general election in the Iqaluit West riding, he was defeated by newly elected MLA Eva Aariak in the premiership vote on November 14.[3] On November 15, 2013, Peter Taptuna beat out Paul Okalik and Paul Quassa for the position of premier.[4]
Premiers of Nunavut
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Electoral mandates (Assembly) |
Political party | Parliamentary seat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Paul Okalik (b. 1964) |
1 April 1999 – 19 November 2008 |
1999 election (1st Leg.)
|
Non-partisan | MLA for Iqaluit West | |
| 2 |  |
Eva Aariak (b. 1955) |
19 November 2008 – 19 November 2013 |
2008 election (3rd Leg.) | Non-partisan | MLA for Iqaluit East | |
| 3 | .jpg) |
Peter Taptuna (b. 1956) |
19 November 2013 – 21 November 2017 |
2013 election (4th Leg.) | Non-partisan | MLA for Kugluktuk | |
| 4 |  |
Paul Quassa (b. 1952) |
21 November 2017 – 14 June 2018 |
2017 election (5th Leg.) | Non-partisan | MLA for Aggu | |
| 5 |  |
Joe Savikataaq (b. 1960) |
14 June 2018 – 19 November 2021 |
Appointment (5th Leg.) | Non-partisan | MLA for Arviat South | |
| 6 | .jpg) |
P.J. Akeeagok (b. 1984) |
19 November 2021 – 20 November 2025 |
2021 election (6th Leg.) | Non-partisan | MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu | |
| Signing of the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement | |||||||
| 7 | |
John Main (b. 1980) |
20 November 2025 – incumbent |
2025 election (7th Leg.) | Non-partisan | MLA for Arviat North-Whale Cove | |
| First non-Inuk premier | |||||||
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