INUVIK
Floyd Roland, a familiar face at two levels of government, is now trying to break into a third.

"When I first got into politics in 1995, I had to decide whether I wanted to stand outside and watch, or if I wanted to jump in and try to help fix it," he told the Drum.

Compared to his previous experience, however, he said there are some differences.

Not only is this what he termed "the longest job interview ever," he said that as a territorial and municipal politician everyone runs as an independent. Running for office as a federal member of Parliament for the Conservative party, has come with its own adjustments, he said.

"Party politics is not like that," he said, explaining that while he has to follow certain policies on issues, he gets the chance to get in at the ground level and influence their creation.

"My first question is always, 'What does this mean for Northerners?' to every announcement," he said.

"First thing, is that we have to get a Northwest Territories voice to the table."

Roland said infrastructure projects have been and will continue to be key to the betterment of the territory, citing the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway and talks of a Mackenzie Valley Highway as major projects to be considered. He specifically mentioned re-examining the natural gas situation in the Delta.

"The technology is there now, it's been developed," he said.

"There are other reservoirs out there that we could tap into. Projects like that, they fit our region and it doesn't require a lot of investment, we just need to get it going."

The problem of decreasing population is also high on Roland's list of priorities. He said 500 people moving away from the territory is a pretty clear indication that not all is well and that there needs to be changes to increase opportunities for everyone living in the North.

"Without an economy, the government can't pay the bills it has for existing programs," he said.

"You can't have one without the other. We need the right balance."

He said the Conservatives have done a lot to improve the economy in the North and there are improvements coming, if the party's candidates are re-elected, he said.

While the tax credit extended to mining companies was 15 per cent and renewed on a year-to-year basis, if re-elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper will bump it to 25 per cent for Northern projects and extend it to three years.

In the interview, Roland compared governing to sports.

"It's like a game of football," he said.

"You usually don't get a touchdown on the first run."

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