Premier of Nunavut
Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister of Finance
Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs
Minister responsible for Immigration
Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council
Minister responsible for Seniors
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board
Phone: (867) 975-
Fax: (867) 975-
Email: jmain7@gov.nu.ca
P.O. Box 242
Arviat, NU
X0C 0E0
Phone: (867) 857-4201
Fax: (867) 857-4205
Email: johnmain@arviatnorthmla.ca
General Delivery
Whale Cove, NU
X0C 0J0
Phone: (867) 896-9612
Fax: (867) 896-9622
Email: johnmain@whalecovemla.ca
John Main was first elected in 2017 to serve in the 5th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut as the Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove. He was subsequently re-elected in 2021 and 2025 to serve in the 6th and 7th Legislative Assemblies. His 2021 re-election was by acclamation.
Mr. Main was elected as Premier of Nunavut during the Nunavut Leadership Forum’s proceedings of November 18, 2025. He was sworn into office on November 20, 2025.
During the 6th Legislative Assembly, Mr. Main served as Minister of Health, Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention and Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
During the 5th Legislative Assembly, he served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Chair of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts and Chair of the Regular Members’ Caucus.
Mr. Main was raised in Arviat. Following graduation from high school, he attended Mount Allison University, graduating in 2002 with a degree in economics. Mr. Main’s international educational experience includes a semester of study in Oslo, Norway, in addition to an internship with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France.
Mr. Main has held a number of professional positions in his career. He has worked as a Television Reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Northern bureau, an Economic Development Officer for the Municipality of Arviat and a Regional Business Officer for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. Prior to his election, Mr. Main was a self-employed economic development consultant.
Mr. Main is a past President of the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the board of directors of the Nunavut Development Corporation. Mr. Main has been an active community volunteer with the Inummariit Music Festival, the Arviat Film Society, the Huvaguuq Radio Show and minor hockey in both Arviat and Cambridge Bay.
John and Amanda Hanson Main are the proud parents of Augustus, Maeve and Odin.
Mr. Main’s personal interests include hunting, fox-trapping, fishing, camping and the performing arts.