Disgraced former MLA enters race for seat in Quttiktuq by-election
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Arctic Bay (Nov 06/00) - Levi Barnabas is making fools of the voters in the High Arctic, says the president of the Inuit women's association Pauktuutit.
 Levi Barnabas |
"People must be getting tired of leadership that is fuelled by violence and sexual assault committed against women," said Dewar.
"He is making fools out of the voters in the High Arctic and I only hope and pray that the people elect someone who is responsible and caring."
The Legislative Assembly is discussing ammendments to the Elections Act to "disqualify a member who loses his or her seat or resigns as a result of a conviction from being a candidate until after the member's successor is elected."
If passed by the legislature, the ammendment would not have any impact on the Dec. 4 byelection.
Barnabas was at his home in Arctic Bay, but declined comment on his reasons for attempting to reclaim the seat he vacated.
The former MLA is up against seven candidates in the election.
Joanasie Akumalik, Tommy Enuaraq, who previously ran for MLA in the Uqqummiut riding, Leah Kalluk, who has run against Barnabas and Tommy Tatatuapik are all from Arctic Bay.
Natsiq Kango lives in Iqaluit but owns several businesses in Arctic Bay, David Roberts of Resolute Bay and Rebecca Williams, whose home community is Arctic Bay, but now lives in Iqakuit are also seeking the seat.
"We are surprised that no one from (Grise Fiord) decided to run," said Pauloosie Attaqutak, returning officer for Nunavut's most northerly community.
"But other than that everything is going very well, the enumeration is complete and voting will be done at the hamlet office."
Candidates only have to be residents of Nunavut, not of one of the communities in the riding where they are seeking election.
