IQALUIT
Nunavut News/North gave council candidates in Iqaluit 150 words to state their positions before voting day on Oct. 19.

Eight council seats are up for grabs between nine competitors.

Responses have been edited for length and grammar. Nunavut News/North could not reach Coun. Simon Nattaq by press time.

Jason Rochon

Age: 38
Occupation: Student support assistant
Years living in Iqaluit: 13

I believe the present lives of our children and youth will determine the future life of our city. We can put their needs first without increasing our deficit.

My key focus points: aging/lack of infrastructure, public safety, child/youth advocacy and outreach, incorporating Inuit traditions in programs/services, inclusive services, working toward reducing, eliminating the deficit, reversing the Waterless Wednesdays decision.

As your progressive, committed councillor I will work toward our first ever community-based city council. A council with engaged citizens means you get better decisions. Citizens can have a say in how the city puts together a budget. With today's technology, everyone could easily be informed to influence how their hard-earned dollars are spent.

It's time for an accountable, transparent council that communicates effectively.

Kuthula Matshazi

Age: 46
Occupation: Senior policy analyst, Department of Family Services
Years Living in Iqaluit: 3

I have a passion for community development.'

I have training and experience in community development and municipal administration.

Our families should have as high quality of life as other capital cities in Canada. I want to help deal with our main challenges, namely wellness, housing shortage, food shortage, infrastructure deficit and outdated and potentially harmful waste management system.

Solving these five issues will promote positive growth in other key areas of the economy.

I will demand more engagement with residents. City councillors and administrative staff must be accountable to residents. These relationships have not been as strong.

I want the city administration to manage and use financial resources wisely and enhance revenue generation.

I want the city to have a strategic plan to identify strategic goals, align resources and processes to achieve these goals.

The future of our grandchildren is at stake if we don't deal with current problems.

Romeyn Stevenson

Age: 41
Occupation: Vice-principal
Years living in Iqaluit: 16

I am running for my third term as city councillor for the City of Iqaluit because I care about this city and its citizens. The waste management issues have been at the forefront of this current term and I am dedicated to finding long-term solutions for our waste problems. Those solutions need to make us leaders in Northern waste management. I am also dedicated to beautifying our city and making it an appealing place to live.

Joanasie Akumalik

Age: 54
Occupation: Career services and promotions coordinator, Kakivak Association
Years living in Iqaluit: On and off since 1981

I am seeking a third term for city council because I want to improve the communication from the city to the residents of Iqaluit and beyond on a timely basis. I am bilingual: English and Inuktitut. I also want to see a port built in Iqaluit. I want to work with Iqaluit MLAs to improve communication so that the Government of Nunavut can help the community, as it is the capital of Nunavut.

Better and reliable municipal servicing equipment is much needed, with the help from the Government of Nunavut. And the new council will be tasked to deal with the deficit. I am willing to work with a plan.

My bilingualism allows me to communicate with the residents of Iqaluit.

Gideonie Joamie

Age: 42
Occupation: Director of policy and planning, Department of Culture and Heritage
Years living in Iqaluit: Born and raised

I am running for council because I believe I can help council and the city administration return to a balanced budget after three consecutive deficit years.

I also would like to work with the administration in having family oriented recreational opportunities. The city has rightfully invested in competitive recreation but families also need recreational time together.

I also believe in strong communication and transparency of council and will strive for these.

Terry Dobbin

Age: 54
Occupation: Advertising, Nunavut News/North
Years living in Iqaluit: 16

I am running for Iqaluit city council because I am hoping this council will have a stronger voice for our residents as compared to the previous council.

A strong council will run the city of Iqaluit according to the City, Town and Villages Act and demand administration be transparent and hold them accountable when they fail.

I did not have faith in the previous administration and the decision making process often kept council in the dark. Without a strong council we may have the same result again.

If you look back through past newspaper articles within the last three years, it always seems to be two councillors out of the eight asking the tough questions on issues; the others basically went along with the status quo.

We need to get our priorities straight and fund essential services first and enjoy better roads and sidewalks that every other city and town in Canada takes for granted.

Lynda Gunn

Age: 57
Occupation: Administrator, Iqaluit District Education Authority
Years Living in Iqaluit: Off and on since 1968, steadily since 1989

Having served two terms previously on the Iqaluit city council as councillor (1997-2003), I come as an experienced candidate to this election. The immediate and central most pressing issue must be to address the city's current $8-million debt. I believe that the council could fashion a strategic plan that would propose to eliminate the debt in the shortest possible timeframe and permit the city to move forward on the repair and replacement of critical infrastructure needs with roads, water and sewer pipes, landfill and sewage treatment being our topmost priority.

Sustainable infrastructure with a view to reduce our energy footprint and reduce financial impacts for our homeowners and businesses should be at the front and center of our planning considerations within the plan. Finally, the planning exercise must incorporate input from the ratepayers, citizens of Iqaluit and business alike. A vote for me is a vote for transparency and accountability.

Megan Pizzo Lyall

Age: 27
Occupation: Administrative assistant, Qikiqtani Inuit Association
Years Living in Iqaluit: 8

What I feel I can contribute to the city includes the drive to have a unified vision by collaborating with fellow council members to make better, sound, long-term and strategic solutions to improve city infrastructure, including better waste and sewage management.

I also feel that it is necessary to adopt a mechanism to collect various tax arrears and bylaw fines from the people of Iqaluit.

I believe that we need a strong foundation and I feel that I am very capable in helping the city reach this.

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