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Territorial

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

  • French: Assemblée législative du Nunavut

Governs Nunavut

Official website (assembly.nu.ca) Report a problem with this page

Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca, checked

At a glance

What it's for

The Legislature of Nunavut makes laws for Nunavut on subjects that Parliament has given it, including municipal institutions, education, hospitals, property and civil rights, the administration of justice, the preservation of game, and the preservation and promotion of the Inuktitut language.

Nunavut Act, s. 23

What it can't do

Its powers come from an Act of Parliament rather than the Constitution, they are subject to any other Act of Parliament, and they are no greater than a province's powers on similar subjects.

Nunavut Act, s. 23

Who it answers to

Voters elect the Legislative Assembly at least every five years. The Commissioner of Nunavut is appointed by the federal government (the Governor in Council), which can disallow a Nunavut law within one year of its enactment.

Nunavut Act, ss. 5, 17 and 28

Where its money comes from

Nunavut raises money through direct taxes and licences, and it can borrow up to a limit set by the federal government. It also receives Territorial Formula Financing payments from the federal government.

Nunavut Act, ss. 23(1)(j), 23(1)(k) and 27; Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Part I.1

Shares responsibility with

Parliament keeps the power to make laws for Nunavut: the Legislature's law-making powers are subject to any other Act of Parliament.

Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)

Next vote

  • General election · Member of the Legislative Assembly

Who sits on it

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Sources for who sits on it

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What it can do

  • Implementing the Nunavut Agreement

    May make laws to implement the land claims agreement between Canada and the Inuit of 25 May 1993 (Nunavut Act, s. 25).

  • Limits of territorial power

    The Legislature's powers are delegated by Parliament through the Nunavut Act and are no greater than a province's under ss. 92 and 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867 (Nunavut Act, s. 23(2)); Parliament may legislate for Nunavut.

  • Spending and Commissioner's lands

    The expenditure of money for territorial purposes, and the management and sale of lands whose use is appropriated to the Commissioner (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(i), (u)). Most other public land in Nunavut is federal Crown land or Inuit-owned land under the Nunavut Agreement.

  • Marriage, companies and local matters

    The solemnization of marriage, the incorporation of companies with territorial objects, and generally all matters of a merely local or private nature in Nunavut (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(o), (q), (v)).

  • Territorial offences

    Fines, penalties and imprisonment to enforce territorial laws (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(w)).

  • Intoxicants

    Intoxicants in Nunavut, including what counts as an intoxicant and their importation (Nunavut Act, ss. 23(1)(p), 26).

  • Game and agriculture

    The preservation of game and agriculture in Nunavut (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(r), (s)); laws may not stop Indians or Inuit hunting for food on unoccupied Crown lands (s. 24).

  • Inuit language

    The preservation, use and promotion of the Inuktitut language, without diminishing the status of English and French (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(n)).

  • Property and civil rights

    Property and civil rights in Nunavut (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(l)), e.g. contracts, landlord and tenant, labour standards and consumer protection.

  • Administration of justice

    Administration of justice in Nunavut, including territorial courts and civil procedure, and territorial prisons and lock-ups (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(e), (f)).

  • Hospitals and charities

    Hospitals and charities in and for Nunavut (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(h)); the Government of Nunavut runs the territory's health centres and hospital.

  • Education

    Education in and for Nunavut, with the right of a Protestant or Roman Catholic minority to establish separate schools (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(m)).

  • Municipal and local institutions

    Creates municipalities and sets what they may do (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(g)); in Nunavut through the Hamlets Act and the Cities, Towns and Villages Act.

  • Direct taxation and licences

    Direct taxation within Nunavut, and licensing, to raise revenue for territorial, municipal or local purposes (Nunavut Act, s. 23(1)(j), (k)), e.g. territorial income tax and property tax outside tax-based municipalities.

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Sources for what it can do

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Sources

  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked territorial: Legislature for Nunavut: the Commissioner and the Legislative Assembly (Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28, ss. 12-13). For: Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28: Nunavut Act, s. 23. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: What it's for, What it can't do
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28: Nunavut Act, ss. 5, 17 and 28. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Who it answers to
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-8: Nunavut Act, ss. 23(1)(j), 23(1)(k) and 27; Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Part I.1. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Where its money comes from
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28: Nunavut Act, ss. 23(1)(j), 23(1)(k) and 27; Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Part I.1. Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Where its money comes from
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28: Nunavut Act, s. 23(1). Statute text read 2026-10-12 (research:authority-explainers, ticket 405). For: Shares responsibility with
  • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca · checked territorial: Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28, ss. 23-26. For: Implementing the Nunavut Agreement, Limits of territorial power, Spending and Commissioner's lands, Marriage, companies and local matters, Territorial offences and 9 more
  • nunavutlegislation.ca · checked territorial: 22 constituencies (s. 31 and Schedule); fixed election day (s. 36(3.1)); consensus government without parties (Legislative Assembly of Nunavut member list shows no party affiliation). For: Member of the Legislative Assembly
  • commissioner.gov.nu.ca · checked territorial: How the Premier and ministers are chosen (Commissioner of Nunavut, Role of the Commissioner; member pages on the Nunavut Leadership Forum). For: Speaker, Deputy Speaker
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Aggu, elected 15 December 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Edward Attagutaluk as MLA, Aggu
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Aivilik, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Hannah Angootealuk as MLA, Aivilik
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Amittuq, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Abraham Qammaniq as MLA, Amittuq
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: John Main as MLA, Arviat North-Whale Cove
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Arviat South, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Jamie Kablutsiak as MLA, Arviat South
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Baker Lake, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Craig Simailak as MLA, Baker Lake
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Cambridge Bay, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Fred Pedersen as MLA, Cambridge Bay
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Gjoa Haven, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: David Porter as MLA, Gjoa Haven
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Hudson Bay, elected 28 September 2026 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Jason Iqaluq as MLA, Hudson Bay
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Gwen Healey Akearok as MLA, Iqaluit-Manirajak
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: David Akeeagok as MLA, Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster as MLA, Iqaluit-Sinaa
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: George Hickes as MLA, Iqaluit-Tasiluk
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Kugluktuk, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Simon Kuliktana as MLA, Kugluktuk
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Netsilik, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Cecile Nelvana Lyall as MLA, Netsilik
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Pangnirtung, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Johnny Mike as MLA, Pangnirtung
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Quttiktuq, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Steven Taqtu as MLA, Quttiktuq
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Alexander Sammurtok as MLA, Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Rankin Inlet South, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Annie Tattuinee as MLA, Rankin Inlet South
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for South Baffin, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: David Joanasie as MLA, South Baffin
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Tununiq, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Brian Koonoo as MLA, Tununiq
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Member for Uqqummiut, elected 27 October 2025 (member page biography; Assembly member list, retrieved 2026-10-11). For: Gordon Kautuk as MLA, Uqqummiut
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Executive or Assembly office from the member page (Duties; Nunavut Leadership Forum of 18 November 2025, sworn in 20 November 2025; Speaker took the Chair 20 November 2025). For: David Joanasie as Speaker
  • assembly.nu.ca · checked territorial: Executive or Assembly office from the member page (Duties; Nunavut Leadership Forum of 18 November 2025, sworn in 20 November 2025; Speaker took the Chair 20 November 2025). For: Fred Pedersen as Deputy Speaker
  • nunavutlegislation.ca · checked territorial: Nunavut Elections Act, s. 36(3.1) (fixed election day). For: General election, October 29, 2029

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