NUNAVUT
Aiming for a third term as Nunavut's representative in Ottawa, Conservative MP Leona Aglukkaq is having a great time on the campaign trail.

Conservative MP Leona Aglukkaq, right, campaigns in Cape Dorset on Aug 20. - photo courtesy of Leona Aglukkaq

"It's been an enjoyable campaign for me, seeing people and taking advantage of the other events that are happening in the communities," Aglukkaq said.

"Weather is always a factor when you're campaigning in the North. Nunavut is I think the largest riding in the world, and this long election has allowed me more time in each community. In that way, it's working better than the last time. I think I had 30-some days to hit 25 communities, which is impossible to do in that timeline. It has allowed me to stay more than a day in each community, so it's great that way."

She said she's hearing positive feedback everywhere she goes, especially from those supportive of the infrastructure the Conservatives have funded throughout Nunavut.

"Every community I go to, there's some federal investment," she said.

She countered suggestions by former Nunavut premier and current Inuit Heritage Trust president Eva Aariak, as reported by CBC, that questioned a recent commitment to a Franklin Expedition centre in Gjoa Haven.

Aariak suggested in the report that the community's heritage centre could have housed it, but Aglukkaq said that's not possible.

"If you look at the lot where the heritage centre is at, it's in a corner lot and there's no way to expand that current facility," she said, noting that the Inuit Heritage Trust was active in the plan.

"Our government, Parks Canada, CanNor, NTI, KIA, and the Inuit Heritage Trust have been meeting and consulting with the community on possible opportunities with the discovery, and this was something that came out of those discussions."

Aglukkaq and the ruling Conservatives made commitments to Nunavut ahead of the election call, all contingent on their re-election, including a deep sea port in Iqaluit. She said the government has a track record of following through on such commitments.

"In terms of our record as a party, as a government, we made a number of commitments in our last campaign and we've delivered on like 99 per cent of those commitments," she said. "For the North, I said that I was running on my record, and I want to continue to work with our communities to address the opportunities that are before us. The commitments we've made are all important."

Nunavummiut are benefitting from the government's plans, she said.

"Positive comments related to the Universal Child Care Benefit program," she recalled as an example of what she is hearing on the campaign trail. "We have a very young population and many young families. Questions on broadband, which is a big (concern) in the North. They're very pleased to hear that we would introduce the broadband and fibre-optic funding if we're re-elected. The small business tax credit goes a long way in supporting small business in our communities."

Aglukkaq toured the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions extensively this summer, and is now touring the Qikiqtaaluk region. She said her government is the one to stand up for Inuit concerns.

"The work we're doing to protect the traditional ways of life of Inuit, on the polar bear, incorporating traditional knowledge," she said. "Issues related to the seal hunt and our government standing up for sealers at the European Union. And settling the court challenge by NTI and focusing on implementing the agreement that Inuit had signed with the federal government."

In the end, she expects voters will respect her record of bringing attention to Nunavut.

"I have a proven track record of delivering," she said. "I have been a cabinet minister for seven years working hard to address issues of concern to Nunavummiut. The previous government delivered nothing to the North. That's the legacy of the candidates, the party as well as the individual."

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