The Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Adventure

The Government of Nunavut: A Consensus-based Government

"Nunavut has a public government, which operates within the principles of Canadian parliamentary democracy. All residents of Nunavut are entitled to run for office and elect Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) on an individual rather than a party basis.

Following a general election, MLAs meet to select a Premier from among the elected members. Ministers are then selected, and the Premier assigns portfolios. Government priorities are established among the Ministers and the Members, based on the issues identified during the election.

A consensus government still requires majority support for measures it proposes. Ministers and the Premier are required to consistently account and respond to Members concerns as they work through the legislative and budget processes.

The system blends the principles of parliamentary democracy with the Aboriginal Values of maximum cooperation, effective use of leadership resources and common accountability. Nunavut shares this system with the Northwest Territories, which also has a significant Aboriginal foundation for its public government."

Source: Government of Nunavut, http://www.gov.nu.ca/Nunavut/English/about/cg.pdf