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Five fighting for one seat

Neils Christensen
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (May 31/04) - Devolution, education, infrastructure and economic development top the list of issues being addressed in the 2004 federal election campaigns.

Five candidates from across the territory are vying for the one seat in the Nunavut federal riding.

The only have until June 28 to get their messages out to all the residents of Nunavut.

The incumbent Nancy Karetak-Lindell, from Arviat, is representing the Liberal Party.

Karetak-Lindell said with all the challenges that face Nunavut, it's important to have some stability in the government.

"Over the past three terms I have been able to develop relationships that will help move Nunavut into the next stage of development," she said.

The second candidate running is Conservative Party representative Duncan Cunningham, from Pond Inlet.

Cunningham is trying to spread the message that there is a need for better representation in the federal government.

One area Cunningham is focusing on is to develop the Nunavut economy.

Bill Ridell, from Iqaluit is the candidate for the New Democrat Party.

In Cambridge Bay, Nedd Kenney is running as a candidate for the Green Party.

While Kenney is trying to raise issues about the environment, he said the party's message is more then that.

"It's important to look at fiscal responsibility and being sustainable," he said.

The fifth candidate is Manitok Thompson, who is running as an independent.

Being an MLA for the first Government of Nunavut, Thompson said she has an understanding of issues such as devolution and the lack of infrastructure.

"I want to be a voice within the Canadian government, instead of banging on the doors from the outside," she said.

Nunavummiut will go to the polls on June 28.