INUVIK
It wasn't too long after polls closed that it became clear Canada was in the grip of a Liberal resurgence but the winner of the Inuvik riding was anything but a foregone conclusion.

Hundreds of people line up at the Midnight Sun Complex after work Oct. 19 to vote in the federal election. Poll-by-poll results should be available by the end of the week, according to Elections Canada. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

"I guess people across Canada and the NWT wanted a change," said Bernie MacNeil, a Conservative supporter and owner of Arctic Digital Oct. 20.

"I guess I'm a little surprised; of the four candidates in the NWT, Floyd had the most high profile."

In the end, Liberal candidate Michael McLeod defeated incumbent NDP representative Dennis Bevington and Inuvik's Conservative candidate, Floyd Roland, with just under half the vote. Bevington received 30 per cent of the vote while Roland received only 18 per cent of the vote. While poll-by-poll results were not available at press time, a representative of Elections Canada said the numbers would be published by the end of the week.

While Bevington gave an emotional concession speech, Roland was no where to be found.

Two hours after their scheduled arrival, members of Roland's campaign team trickled into their reserved seats at downtown Yellowknife's Boston Pizza. A paltry 10 supporters occupied the spot intended for 20 - Roland not among them - to watch the live coverage unfolding on the restaurant's large television screens. With sombre expressions, they placed drink orders.

"You'll need a beer after tonight," one supporter quipped.

The Drum was unable to reach anyone at Roland's campaign Oct. 19 or 20.

Still, there is a sense in Inuvik of pride in the home-town candidate. MacNeil said he sees the rise of the Liberal party as a return to normal after the anomaly of 10 years of Conservative government but that he couldn't help but hope for another outcome at the town level.

"I supported Floyd because he was our hometown boy," he said.

"In the grand scheme of things, will this affect my business? Will my taxes be that much lower or higher, or will business go up or down? Probably not."

Others were even more ambivalent about the results of the election. Resident Steve Krug said in the end it's just one long cycle between parties.

"There are pros and cons for both," he said of the Liberals and the Conservatives.

"I met both prime ministers last year and they were both nice guys."

Even Roland's supporters said they were unsurprised by the overall result.

"I supported Floyd in his bid for MP and continue to believe he was the best candidate for the North," Dez Loreen told the Drum on Oct. 20.

"I wish Michael McLeod all the best and hope that his alignment with our new prime minister will benefit the North. On a national stage, I believed that Justin Trudeau would win the election as the majority of people I speak with were tired with Harper and his regime. Looking across the territories, it's easy to see the Liberals have support from Northerners. I hope in the coming years that Northern issues are addressed and we become a true voice in national affairs."

Inuvik's other candidate

Green Party candidate John Moore also calls Inuvik home, and although he received only about three per cent of the vote in the territory, he said he was pleased with the experience overall.

"I didn't come into this campaign hoping to win," he said, watching election coverage in the capital late Oct. 19.

"What I wanted to do was add a voice to the conversation and, based on the reception I've been getting, I've done that."

He also noted that although the Green Party didn't increase its seat count this time around, the party hopes to do far better in future elections if the Liberals keep their promise to implement proportional representation to replace the current first-past-the-post system.

Having only arrived in the North this past year, Moore said he plans to return to Inuvik and find work here, despite an offer in Yellowknife.

"More than anything, I want to wish all my competitors a heartfelt congratulations," he said.

"I know I had a lot of fun and I hope the other gentlemen did as well ... At the end of the day, the art of politics is not about advancing ones' self but advancing the people you work for."

- with files from Meagan Leonard

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