Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 19/00) - Arviat MLA Kevin O'Brien is enjoying the view from his perch as Speaker of the house in the Nunavut legislative assembly.

However, the veteran of the Kivalliq political wars for the past five years did not seek the position without doing his homework first.

The position became available when former Speaker Levi Barnabas resigned after being charged with sexual assault.

O'Brien freely admits feeling a little uncomfortable with the circumstances and talked to Barnabas before seeking the Speaker's position.

"I wanted to know his (Barnabas') feelings on the matter and he was very gracious about it," says O'Brien.

"He encouraged me to seek the office. The job was open to any member, so he had no difficulty with it.

"It was bitter-sweet for me. The situation wasn't the best, but you can't live in the past. You have to move forward."

O'Brien says after five years in the political trenches, he felt it was time for a change. His main concern was to ensure his constituents wouldn't suffer if he took the Speaker's position.

"There's a convention that says the Speaker has open access to the premier and cabinet ministers regarding the issue of projects relating to his or her constituency.

"After researching former Speakers, their ridings have been more than looked after. A Speaker's riding has to be treated as fairly as anyone else's."

O'Brien says he doesn't expect the fact he's unilingual to cause any problem in his new position.

He says he possesses a good political antenna, and it's not picking up any negative vibes over his election.

"I was voted this position over two other candidates and it's normal for people who ran, but weren't elected, to be disappointed. But after a few days, everything was back to normal."

O'Brien was elected on the first ballot and says every house member has been very positive in supporting him as house Speaker.

He says he's looking forward to conducting his duties, and as long as the needs of his home riding are being met, he feels the move is a positive one for his career.

"If I were to feel my community was taking a back seat because of my role as Speaker, I would revert back to my old position and carry on from there. My constituents have my word on that, but I don't think such a move will become necessary."