12/01/2025
Welcome to the official page for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) Chairperson Election, scheduled for Tuesday, 2026-01-20 at the Midnight Sun Complex in Inuvik.
On this page you will find important updates as the pre-election period continues. Please note, this page is actively moderated. Abusive and other inappropriate comments will be removed.
Official documents are available for download on the IRC website at https://irc.inuvialuit.com/2026-chairperson-election/
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NOTICE OF ELECTION
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) Board of Directors (“IRC Board”) has set Tuesday, January 20, 2026 as the Election Date for the 2026 Election of the IRC Chairperson. The Election will take place at the Midnight Sun Complex in Inuvik. The Election will be held following a candidates’ forum, during an in-person meeting of the 42 directors of the Inuvialuit Community Corporations (“42 Directors”).
ELECTION RULES
Under Article 2.03(b) of IRC By-Law No. 1, the IRC board has approved the Rules for the Election of the IRC Chair (“Rules”). These rules govern the election process.
ELECTION OFFICIALS
The IRC Board has appointed Kate Darling as Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and the Corporate Managers of the Inuvialuit Community Corporations, or their alternates, as Community Deputy Returning Officers (CDRO) for the election. Amanda Shortreed and Shelly Hendrick have been designated the Deputy Returning Officers (DRO).
ELIGIBILITY
To qualify as a Candidate, an individual must:
• be enrolled as a beneficiary under the Inuvialuit Trust
• be a member of an Inuvialuit Community Corporation
• not be bankrupt
• not be incarcerated
• not have been convicted of an offense punishable by five years or more imprisonment
• not have been convicted of an offense punishable by two years or less imprisonment within five years of the Election Date
• not have outstanding debts of $200 or more to IRC and be 90 days or more in arrears
• have submitted all required items required in the Nomination Process below (completed nomination form, criminal record check, deposit) within the Nomination Period.
NOMINATION PROCESS
The nomination period will open at 9am on Monday, December 8, 2025, and close at 4pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 (“Nomination Period”). 2026 IRC Chairperson Election
The following items must be submitted to a CDRO, DRO or the CRO during the Nomination Period:
• a completed nomination form
• a criminal record check dated no earlier than November 20, 2025 • a $500 deposit in the form of a cheque or money order made out to IRC. This deposit will be returned to a Candidate if they receive at least four votes in a voting round of the Election.
Nomination forms are available during business hours from a CDRO, DRO, CRO or from the IRC reception desk located on the 3rd floor of the corporate centre at 107 Mackenzie Rd in Inuvik.
NOTE: Reasonable efforts will be made to maintain the confidentiality of nomination forms, criminal record checks and deposit documents among elections officials and necessary staff. These documents will be used to support the election process and for no other purpose.
CANDIDATE RESUME/BIOGRAPHY
While not mandatory, Candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and their résumé to the CRO demonstrating the strength of their candidacy. If these documents are submitted by a Candidate, these will be shared with the 42 Directors, posted to the IRC website and shared on the Election page.
CANDIDATE FORUM
A Candidate Forum will be held on the Election Date in the afternoon. Candidates will have an opportunity to make brief remarks about their record of leadership and vision for the future of IRC. Community Corporations will have the opportunity to ask questions from the floor during the Candidates Forum. Additionally, ahead of the Election Date, Candidates will be provided a list of questions developed in cooperation with the Community Corporations with respect to a selection of which they will have the opportunity prepare and present approximately 1-2 minute responses.
VOTING The poll will open after the Candidate Forum. Each of the 42 Directors will be entitled to one vote. Voting will be conducted by secret ballot. Directors may appoint another Director of their Community Corporation to act as a proxy to cast their ballot. Proxy certificates may be requested from and submitted to the CRO, a CDRO or a DRO. Each Candidate may appoint one scrutineer to witness and verify the counting of ballots. The Candidate that receives more than 50% of the votes cast will be declared elected. Successive rounds of voting, in accordance with the Rules may be required.
TERM & POSITION PROFILE
The individual elected will assume the role of Chairperson and Chief Executive officer (CEO) of IRC for a four-year term. The position profile for the Chairperson and the CEO is available at: irc.inuvialuit.com/2026-chairperson-election.
For more information, please visit the IRC website at inuvialuit.com or contact the CRO, a DRO or CDRO.
