News quiz July 12 | Simon says listen, P.J. says bye

Quiz time! Let’s get right to it.

1. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon visited Iqaluit for three days this week for what she said is a learning and listening tour. What was the topic she learned and listened about?
   A. Children’s education
   B. Treating people respectfully online
   C. Mental health
2. Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced this week he won’t seek re-election as an MLA in the Oct. 27 vote. What is P.J. short for?
   A. Pauloosie Jamesie
   B. Peter Jamesie
   C. Pauloosie Joelie
3. In the Nunavut legislative assembly, MLAs select the members of cabinet. It’s not a decision made by the premier, unlike in most other territories and provinces. That said, how many cabinet ministers resigned while P.J. Akeeagok has been premier?
   A. 4
   B. 5
   C. 6
4. Nunavut’s minimum wage will increase in September. What will the new hourly rate be?
   A. $19.75
   B. $20
   C. $21.75
5. Thirty years ago when voters went to the polls to select a capital for what in 1999 would become the new territory of Nunavut, what other hamlet was on the ballot besides Iqaluit?
   A. Cambridge Bay
   B. Rankin Inlet
   C. Arviat

Premier P.J. Akeeagok talks to reporters after a briefing on the government’s elder strategy in March. He announced this week he won’t seek re-election to the legislative assembly. (File photo by Arty Sarkisian)

Answers

1. C — Rideau Hall called the Iqaluit visit part of Simon’s Mental Health Learning and Listening Tour. “It’s also about trying to bring people together that are thinking about, what are the solutions?” Simon told Nunatsiaq News.
2. A — The P.J. in the premier’s name is short for Pauloosie Jamesie.
3. C — Six members have quit cabinet for various reasons since P.J. Akeeagok became premier in 2021. They are MLAs Adam Arreak Lightstone, Craig Simailak, Joanna Quassa, Joelie Kaernerk, Karen Nutarak and Daniel Qavvik.
4. A — The new hourly rate will be $19.75. Currently, the minimum wage is $19.
5. B — It was Rankin Inlet that was also on the ballot, though local leaders in Cambridge Bay considered joining the race for a while.