Lori Idlout

Lori Idlout (; born March 28, 1974) is a Canadian Inuit politician and lawyer who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Nunavut since 2021. A member of the Liberal Party, Idlout was first elected with the New Democratic Party (NDP), before crossing the floor in 2026.

Life and career Idlout was raised with three siblings and grew up in an area of the Northwest Territories (now part of Nunavut) as a child. Her family moved between the communities of Igloolik, Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Chesterfield Inlet. Idlout spent the most time in Igloolik, and currently resides there.

Idlout received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Lakehead University in 1997, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa (2018).

Between 2004 and 2011, Idlout served as the executive director of the Nunavut Embrace Life Council, a not-for-profit organization committed to suicide prevention. Idlout's time as its executive director saw expansion to its services and securing a budget to address issues of mental health.

Political career Idlout sought the NDP nomination in Nunavut when incumbent MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, also a New Democrat, did not seek re-election after one term in Parliament. and was elected at the 2021 Canadian federal election. She became the fourth MP to join the Liberal caucus during the 45th Canadian Parliament, after Chris d'Entremont, Michael Ma, and Matt Jeneroux. Idlout is the first NDP MP to do so, as her three predecessors joined the Liberals from the Conservative caucus. Idlout explained her decision by saying that she felt she was "betraying [her] constituents" by remaining in the NDP caucus.

Policy positions

Idlout told Carol Off of CBC Radio's As It Happens that she intended to work on shifting the balance between the federal government and the people of Nunavut. She discussed that while the federal government wished to acquire Nunavut's resources, she wanted to "get the federal government to realize that [Nunavummiut] can negotiate ... in a position of power."

During her campaign, Idlout prioritized on youth engagement within the electoral process. She raised the issue of youth empowerment within her election tour.

Housing and infrastructure Idlout stated her utmost priority was addressing the housing crisis in the North, which included more housing as well as housing quality and renovation; addressing the mold crisis that many houses had. Idlout acknowledged the adverse health outcomes that came as a result of poor living conditions and as a result of mold and the disproportionate effects it would have on the elderly. She expressed her concern that the incumbent Liberal government would fail to properly address the housing situation in the North, stating Trudeau "promised more housing funds for the last six years".

Idlout stated she intended to work with the government for further infrastructure upgrades, including rural broadband and improvement for airports within the territory. Idlout stressed the importance of consultation with local communities regarding the issue, and that the mine had already had an outsized impact on the local environment. She cited the waste material that was produced as a result of the mining in the area, and that Baffinland should work with Inuit to address the issues raised.

Elder care Idlout expressed her concerns for the relocation of community elders to Edmonton and Ottawa as a result of the lack of proper facilities for elder care in Nunavut. She expressed her support for the creation of the proper facilities within the territory to enable elders to remain within their own communities, thus creating further employment opportunities within the territory. Idlout also stated the financial supplements for elders within the territory was "inadequate" and addressed the possibility of raising the supplement for northern communities.

Electoral record