IQALUIT - Bus service, drug and garbage problems, tourism as well as a new city hall, recreation and performing arts centres were some of the issues Iqaluit's mayoral and city council candidates addressed at an election forum on Dec. 7.

Ed deVries, centre, answers a question during the Iqaluit mayoral and councillor question-and-answer session in the territorial capital on Dec. 7. DeVries is running for councillor in the Dec. 13 election. From left, councillor candidate Stephen Mansell, mayoral candidates Al Hayward, Paul Kaludjak, Jim Little and Madeleine Redfern. Councillor candidate Joanasie Akumalik could not make it to Iqaluit due to the weather. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo

Mayoral candidates Al Hayward, Paul Kaludjak, Jim Little and Madeleine Redfern, along with councillor candidates Ed deVries and Stephen Mansell answered about 30 questions during the one-hour question-and-answer session at the Parish Hall attended by about 30 people. Councillor candidate Joanasie Akumalik could not make it to Iqaluit due to the weather.

Hayward, a former city councillor and deputy mayor from 2006 to 2009, suggested a proper arts and crafts centre and increased meeting and hotel space to increase tourism.

"We have to have existing infrastructure for our citizens, so when these visitors come, they have a place to go skating, they have a place to go and enjoy the family time together at a pool," he added.

Former NTI president Kaludjak, addressing how to extend long-term care facilities for elders, said he would first look at the demand. He added he is considering building or extending an access road out of town for elders to use, "so they can have fresh air, see the scenery." He also suggested designating a picnic area for them to stay for the day.

Little, a former city councillor from 2006 and 2009 who ran for mayor in 2009, was asked about partnerships available for revenue-sharing so that taxpayers are not the city's only source of income.

"I think there is a lot of money out there. We have to access it and go after it aggressively," he said.

Redfern, executive director of Qikiqtani Truth Commission, asked for her thoughts on economic development for youth, said first the youth have to graduate from high school. She added the city has a role to play in that, by looking at why they are dropping out. Redfern said trade schools and training are also an option.

"There are jobs available. The big thing is finding better matches," she said. "It's often that extra little bit of helping hand and mentorship that gets a youth realizing they do have a future."

Candidate for councillor Ed deVries said it's good to promote Iqaluit nationally and internationally but we must not forget about the homeless who don't have a place to go after leaving the shelter in the morning when it's 40 below.

"It's really great to attract all these people from all over the damn place but what if we are not looking after our own people first?" he said. "Isn't that the job and responsibility of a municipal government to look after the person who was born and lived here? Not worry about the whether (Canadian country music artist) Paul Brandt or somebody is going to fly in on an airplane? Whoopy damn do!" he said. "I say as a municipal government, let's look to the people at home. Have you got your water? Have you got your sewer? Are you shovelled out? Are you looked after? Do you have enough to eat and a warm place to sleep tonight?"

Mansell was asked whether he was willing to train more Inuit staff, arrange mentorship and permanent employment.

"The majority of the territory, the majority of the city are Inuit," he said. "Employment in the public service, regardless of city, territory, should reflect that. That's not the situation at the city. I support the training and mentorship of Inuit to raise Inuit employment in the city. It's demographics. It's a right."

John Maurice, one of the 30 people in attendance, said he was pleased with the event.

"Every one of the candidates had very legitimate responses to all of the questions. All of them were very passionate," he said. "Every single candidate is willing to do something about the dump. Every single candidate is willing to do something about safety and transparency. It's going to be a hard decision for a lot of people because I think every single candidate seems to have some credibility."

He said he remains undecided on who he will vote for on Dec. 13.

"I will go to the ballot box and make up my mind at the last moment," he said. "I think everybody, unless they have already made up their mind of course, I think there is going to be a lot of soul searching before they vote."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.