Monday, January 23, 2006
To put yourself out there, telling people what you think and defending it, is a tough job, a contact sport.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Dennis Bevington, Richard Edjericon, Alex Beaudin and Jan van der Veen in the Northwest Territories . Liberal Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Conservative David Aglukark, New Democrat Bill Riddell, Green Party David Kappi and Marijuana Party's Ed deVries in Nunavut.
These people all bring something very valuable to democracy, what the rest of us don't: They give us a choice.
As important as Members of Parliament seem, there are many other politicians in the Northwest Territories.
Territorial politicians - MLAs. Tribal politicians - Chiefs, councillors. Municipal politicians - mayors, councillors. Land claim and development corporation board members and others on boards and agencies.
The biggest hurrah goes equally to Chiefs, councillors, mayors, councillors. These are the politicians we see every day at the store and the post office. They meet lots of times a year and the media loves following the political drama.
They all are worth more than we pay them in money and respect.
We would like to see more women in these races. They are most noticeably absent in the territorial assembly.
While women may not be afraid to speak up, they must speak louder and get elected. When will common sense be worth more than political bluster?
But no matter who wins or loses, all runners in this race deserve a slap on the back and a handshake. The winners deserve our patience as they settle into their leadership roles.
In return all we ask is honesty, modesty and a willingness to listen.
They must also keep the bureaucracy in mind. Government workers at all levels are the instrument for carrying out the wishes of the people.
A bureaucracy without strong political leadership is one that cannot serve the people. Money too often gets spent on other things.
Northerners - politicians, government workers, the voters - must be unified because the next struggle for each territory will begin with the naming of the next prime minister and governing party.
The Northwest Territories and Nunavut are full of riches. The people born here and those who have made this their home deserve to live well and they need job training, more jobs, houses, and better healthcare.
It's our politicians who have to make it happen, depending on what the people want.
Today we have made the decision who our senior politicians will be. Let them bask in their glory. It is well deserved.
Tomorrow the busybody know-it-all press will be back asking questions.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
The upcoming federal election is still being viewed as a two-horse race in Nunavut, but one of those steeds may have changed following the all-candidates forum in Iqaluit this past week.
For those who cast their votes based on the issues in Nunavut, New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Bill Riddell was the evening's big winner, with Liberal incumbent Nancy Karetak-Lindell placing a strong second.
Canada goes to the polls on Jan. 23.
All five Nunavut candidates took part in the forum, including Conservative party candidate David Aglukark, the Green party's Feliks Kappi and the Marijuana party's Ed deVries.
Aglukark entered the debate being viewed by many as the biggest threat to Lindell.
However, the Tory candidate skirted many of the issues with his replies and lacked the polish and conviction of his NDP and Liberal counterparts.
There is little doubt, however, that Aglukark will still capture his share of votes from the religious community, simply because the Tories are the only party that may revisit Bill C-38: The Civil Marriage Act (same-sex union), which received royal assent on July 20, 2005.
Riddell announced his candidacy late in the race and has a lot of ground to make up.
However, his poise, confidence and preparedness for the forum helped him make significant gains in closing the gap of popular opinion between he and Lindell.
Riddell shone during most of his replies, and his public admonishment of those who would deny his gay son the same rights they enjoy in Canada was the stuff leaders are made of.
If there was one area of weakness, it was Riddell's response to the rising cost of living in Nunavut.
Studies into future alternative forms of energy and commune living are nice, but Nunavummiut on low or fixed incomes need help now to make ends meet.
While Lindell really didn't tell voters anything they didn't already know, her confidence and experience held her in good stead.
Lindell knew when to speak the party line during her responses and when to bring in the personal touch, still so highly regarded in Nunavut, on territory-specific issues.
If there is one weakness in Lindell's public persona, it is her lack of fire in addressing the platforms of rival parties.
There is no doubt her style of addressing issues without being confrontational is behind the opinion that says Nunavut needs a "stronger" voice in Ottawa.
In short, sometimes a little spice is nice.
We must also point out the excellent performance of political newcomer Kappi during the forum.
Kappi acquitted himself well by understanding the issues, speaking confidently and not being afraid to give his personal opinion on a number of topics.
The articulate young candidate could be one to watch in future elections if he decides to continue on the political trail, especially if that trail leads to territorial politics in Nunavut.
Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum
It was nowhere near as heated as the recent nationally televised debates between federal party leaders.
Monday evening's Western Arctic candidates debate in Inuvik was merely a rehash of the top dogs going at it.
Liberal Ethel Blondin-Andrew stood by her party's record (the fiscally responsible Paul Martin version, not the corruption-laden Chretien one), Richard Edjericon pointed to all the things a Conservative government would accomplish that the Liberals couldn't or didn't, and Dennis Bevington flogged the NDP party-line of standing up for the little guy.
Substitute a passionate but green Green Party Candidate Alexandre Beaudin for the humourless Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois) and the only real difference between ours and the national debates was levity rather than tension.
Beaudin may not bring any experience to the table, but credit must be given for the man's convictions. With nothing to lose, Beaudin was the only candidate of the four who appeared to be speaking from the heart, rather than from notes recited out of a party manifesto. This kind of passion is a rare thing in federal politics these days and even Blondin-Andrew - a 17-year federal political veteran - noticed the positive reception Beaudin was getting for many of his answers. So much so, she expressed her appreciation for his participation in her closing remarks.
Unfortunately, Beaudin's character and the strength of his convictions - however naive they may seem in our pragmatic world - will not change the state of this country's political system overnight, if at all.
So what is a voter to do in these troubled times when many resign themselves to supporting the devil they know, rather than going with the one they don't? Actually getting out and voting would be a decent enough start, because those who don't have absolutely no right to complain about the government they end up with.
And regardless of who wins the Western Arctic seat next Monday, or which party may form the next government, people will still put their pants on one leg at a time come Tuesday morning and the sky will not fall if there's a changing of the guard. Even if the Green Party were to miraculously win the Western Arctic riding, it is still just one seat in a sea of 308.
The real kicker is which party forms the government and the question on many people's minds is whether or not the country will end up with a second minority government serving. It's a difficult scenario to digest and could very well bring us another federal election this time next year, God forbid.
However, an even more bitter pill to swallow is the fact that the candidate who seemed to resonate most with those who attended Monday's debate doesn't have a hope in hell of winning. Is this an indictment of our political process? Probably not, but it's certainly an indication of what this country's three major parties have to offer us, or the lack thereof.
Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum
What is it about discussions over money that can turn even the most amicable relationships between people into heated battles with hidden pitfalls?
This week, attention in Fort Simpson was drawn back towards how to use the community's share of the Community Capacity Building Fund.
The fund, to bring everyone up to date, was announced by Premier Joe Handley in August.
As part of the federal government's Northern Strategy, it consists of $35 million to be distributed among all communities in the Northwest Territories.
Each community receives a base of $606,000 and an additional per capita allocation. In Fort Simpson's case this works out to $1,050,000.
There are four strings attached to the money. It has to be spent on community infrastructure and capacity building, a proposal for use of the money has to be submitted by Nov. 1, 2006 and there are only three years to spend the funds.
The difficult stipulation is that any agreement on how to use the funding has to be shared by all governing bodies in the community.
Anyone who's ever had to make a decision on how to spend money knows how difficult it can be. If you're making the decision as part of a family the difficulty of the process multiplies.
Fort Simpson is like a family with three parents and an incredible number of children. Liidlii Kue First Nation, Fort Simpson Metis Nation and the village all want to do what they think is best for their "children," but reconciling the three opinions is proving to be difficult.
With the Tri-Council still waiting to meet and make some concrete decisions there is the worry that the services of an outside negotiator will become necessary.
Premier Handley said the money was distributed to the communities because local leaders are always asking for more control.
This process is a test for how future, maybe more important, agreements will be handled. In the broad scheme of things $1 million isn't a lot of money.
It will certainly be interesting to watch how things unfold.
Congratulations are in order for everyone who participated in the Arctic Winter Games territorial trails between Jan. 11 and 14.
Even those athletes who didn't make the cut should be proud. Making it to the trials is an achievement in itself requiring hard work, dedication and spirit.
Recognition is also due to all of the people who volunteer their time as coaches or just as supportive parents to help make the goals of the youth possible.
In Fort Simpson one of the positive stories coming out of the soccer trials is the attitude of the players on the Mackenzie region junior team. It was heartening to see the girls rally after their disappointing loss to provide support and cheer on the intermediate team. Nicely done.
Last week's editorial in the Deh Cho Drum stated that the village council chose to hold the liquor plebiscite on the same day as the federal election. In fact, the village had already set the date for their municipal elections before the federal election was called. The Drum regrets any confusion this may have caused.
Incorrect information appeared in Wednesday's Yellowknifer ("It's do-or-die week for candidates," Jan. 18). The Election Day polls close at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 23. Yellowknifer apologizes for any confusion caused by the error.