Voter participation in Inuit communities during the 2025 federal elections witnessed a decline, prompting calls for improved engagement with local residents. A recent report by Elections Canada highlighted the estimated voter 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, while the national average stood at 69.5% last year. However, the trend varied across regions.
Comparing to the 2021 federal election, voting rates increased for Inuit in the Inuvialuit region of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut by 7.5% and 1.6% respectively, with a turnout rate of around 35%. A similar trend was observed among Inuit in the Nunatsiavut region of Newfoundland and Labrador, showing a slight 2.5% decrease from 2021.
Notably, the voter turnout in Nunavik, part of the Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding in Quebec, was significantly low in 2025 at 14.7%, nearly half of the 2021 turnout rate. Elections Canada attributed this to early closure or non-opening of polling booths in most of the region’s 14 villages due to adverse weather conditions and staffing shortages.
Acknowledging deficiencies in prior outreach efforts and engagement with Nunavik communities, Elections Canada admitted the inadequacy of their approach. Pita Aatami, president of Makivvik representing Inuit in Nunavik, emphasized the need for election officials to actively engage with communities and fulfill their responsibility in facilitating voter participation.
Expressing concerns about voter apathy, Aatami proposed making voting mandatory to boost turnout. He also suggested exploring online voting options to enhance accessibility. However, Aatami emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in participating in elections, stating that it is ultimately up to citizens to take action.
In conclusion, the call for better community engagement and the exploration of innovative voting methods aim to address the challenges faced by Inuit communities in exercising their democratic rights during federal elections.