Voter participation in federal elections within Inuit communities saw a decline in 2025, prompting leaders to advocate for enhanced engagement at the local level. Elections Canada recently released a report detailing the estimated turnout in Indigenous communities during the 45th general election in April 2025.
Over the past three federal elections, voter turnout in Inuit communities decreased from 43.6% in 2019 to 30.2% in 2025, contrasting with the national average of 69.5% last year. However, the trend varied across regions.
Compared to the 2021 federal election, voting rates among Inuit in the Inuvialuit region of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut increased by 7.5% and 1.6% respectively, with turnout hovering around 35%. Similarly, the Nunatsiavut region in Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a slight 2.5% drop compared to 2021.
In 2025, the turnout in Nunavik, part of the Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding in Quebec, was notably low, with only 14.7% of Inuit voters participating. This marked a significant decrease from the 2021 turnout rate. Elections Canada attributed this partly to polling booths closing early or not opening due to adverse weather conditions and staff shortages.
Acknowledging deficiencies in prior outreach efforts and meaningful engagement with all Nunavik communities, including those with voting services, Elections Canada did not grant an interview to CBC News. Pita Aatami, president of Makivvik representing Inuit in Nunavik, emphasized the need for election officials to engage directly with communities and fulfill their responsibility to ensure proper voting opportunities.
Expressing concern about voter apathy, Aatami suggested exploring mandatory voting, similar to census practices, to boost turnout. He also proposed online voting, as utilized in Makivvik’s own elections, as a potential solution to enhance accessibility. Ultimately, Aatami emphasized individual responsibility in exercising the right to vote.