Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Friday, January 29, 2007

OTTAWA - He has been an MP, an MLA, an ambassador, and now Jack Anawak is looking to return to federal politics.

He has entered the race to be the next Liberal party candidate in Nunauvt.

Jack Anawak

Anawak no longer lives in Nunavut, making his home in Ottawa. He doesn't see that as an obstacle to election.

"An MP just has to be a Canadian citizen," said Anawak. "I have a house in Repulse Bay and a P.O. box in Rankin."

The 56-year-old political veteran is attending an eight-month business college program in Ottawa.

Since travel is so expensive in Nunavut, he plans to campaign on the phone.

"I would love to (travel to campaign), but you have to do it on your own," said Anawak. "Finances can get in the way. I talk to a lot of people and (in the south) you can take advantage of long distance rates."

As one of the founders of Nunavut, there is a danger that Anawak could be perceived as belonging to the old guard. He doesn't think that can happen in Nunavut.

"It is not relevant in Nunavut," he said. "We are new comers to politics. 30 years is not a long time."

Anawak was Canada's circumpolar ambassador, until a shake-up by the newly-elected Conservative government left him out of a job.

Before taking that position, he was MLA for Rankin North. In February 2003, he was a cabinet minister when Premier Paul Okalik stripped him of his portfolio for speaking out against a decision to move Qulliq Energy's headquarters from Rankin Inlet to Baker Lake.

In March 2003, he was voted out of cabinet by an 11-6 vote. He finished his term as a regular MLA before taking the circumpolar ambassador position in 2004.

"I use the word bully in the strongest sense," said Anawak, describing Okalik at the time of his removal. He also faced off against Okalik for the job of premier. In March 1999, he was the only MLA to run against Okalik for the top job.

Anawak also served as a Liberal MP for Nunavut from 1988 to 1997, back when the riding was called Nunatsiaq.

He vacated his seat to serve as interim commissioner, and was succeeded by Nancy Karetak-Lindell, who has held the job ever since.

As for the campaign trail, Anawak sees many issues that will be discussed leading up to the yet to be determined Nunavut Liberal convention.

"The port of Churchill is opening up again, and I think Nunavut should benefit," he said. "Why did NTI have to take the federal government to court? The environment, climate change, and there are the social issues."