Rankin Inlet (Feb 09/04) - A deficit situation facing the next Nunavut government may be playing a roll in what's regarded as a quiet election campaign.

Cecilia Ayaruak, the returning officer for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove, reviews a student voting pamphlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

However, despite the lack of promises being tossed about on the campaign trail, there are signs of serious competition.

Former Rankin Inlet SAO Ron Roach says he still finds the territorial election interesting, even though it's a little on the quiet side.

"This is the first time I remember, since the last time John Todd ran, that we actually have election posters up around the hamlet," says Roach.

"People are campaigning hard and that's because the Rankin South riding has two major candidates who are going all out to win."

Nunavut Development Corp. president John Hickes says he finds this year's election quieter than Nunavut's first.

He says a looming deficit has candidates wary of making election promises.

"The more experienced thinkers are seeing this as not a good news time," says Hickes.

"A number of people who were going to run have realized there's not a whole lot they can do this time out.

"Money is going to be very tight this term and the candidates know it.

"What can you promise when you don't have a bank account to work with?"

No negative campaigns

Hickes says he'd like to hear more economy-related issues being discussed.

He says with so many new candidates running, it's important to hear where they stand on economic issues.

And, he adds, only time will tell if the lack of experienced candidates proves itself to be a good, or bad, situation for Nunavut.

He says the lack of experienced politicians is another reason why races in many of the ridings are so quiet.

"We don't have the type of mudslinging campaigns they often do in the south, but negative advertising doesn't work among aboriginal people.

"The one problem I see with this election is the lack of experienced politicians who are able to speak to the issues effectively, without getting personal."