Elections Canada says protocol wasn’t followed in Nunavik during federal election

Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault speaks at a news conference in Ottawa on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Elections Canada says voting services in Nunavik during the spring federal election were “significantly hindered” by a lack of planning and oversight that caused some polls to close early.

Following the April 28 federal election, Elections Canada acknowledged that some voters in Nunavik were unable to cast ballots because a shortage of staff led to polls closing well ahead of schedule.

In a report released today, Elections Canada says the returning officer’s plan didn’t include meaningful engagement with local communities.

Elections Canada says the plan was still approved by its headquarters, which resulted in limited local involvement and undermined service delivery.

Elections Canada says the issues in Nunavik during the election point to broader problems and it’s working to reduce barriers for Indigenous voters.

During a trip to Kuujjuaq in northern Quebec in September, Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault apologized to the Kativik Regional Government in Quebec for problems community members faced while voting.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2025.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press