IQALUIT - Leona Aglukkaq spent Saturday's candidates debate in Iqaluit defending her actions as Nunavut's member of Parliament and stood up for her government's track record as her party came under heavy fire from her opponents.

"It's not Leona's fault, it's Steven Harper's," said Jack Hicks, the NDP candidate, when answering a question about the lack of housing in the territory.

Hicks and Aglukkaq, along with former premier and Liberal candidate Paul Okalik and Green Party candidate Scott MacCallum, participated in the debate in front of a full house of close to 100 people at the Anglican Parish Hall in Iqaluit on April 23. The heavy turnout came despite the event occurring on a Saturday night of the Easter long weekend and at the same time as a Montreal Canadiens playoff game.

The first half of the three-hour debate was in English and the second half was in Inuktitut.

While opinions varied depending on the issues, all the candidates agreed one cannot ignore the territory's social problems, including housing.

Aglukkaq said $300 million has been invested in Nunavut housing since 2006. The Liberals' plan, Okalik said, is to spend $500 million for housing. The Green Party plans to unveil a national housing strategy involving $24 million over the next three years, according to MacCallum. He said this will include 10,000 new homes for aboriginal people and the renovation of 10,000 homes.

Hicks said the Conservative government has not built any new houses in Nunavut in the last two years. "The Conservative government has $35 million for fighter jets, money for business and no money for social housing," he said, garnering applause from the audience and fellow candidate Okalik.

Another hot topic was the Nutrition North Canada program. Both the Liberal and the NDP candidates said they would scrap the new program.

MacCallum said, "People need diapers for babies and flour for making bannock," but pointed out that these items now receive lower subsidies than under the former Food Mail program.

Okalik said he will not give up until Nutrition North is scrapped.

Among those listening to the debate were Senator Dennis Patterson, Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern, Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director Hal Timar and Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Okalik Eegeesiak.

Timar questioned the candidates on whether their parties would develop hydro projects given the recent rise in electricity rates.

Okalik said while the initial cost of finding an alternative energy source would be high, it would help to reduce Nunavut's environmental footprint. MacCallum said the Green Party feels natural energy could be used to power things such as community freezers.

Hicks made reference to communities in Greenland, where dams and hydro projects are fully functioning. "They had an intelligent government backing them," he said.

Aglukkaq mentioned investments the government has already made by giving money for a hydro project in Iqaluit.

Eegeesiak asked if more federal funding could be given for programs and services targeted at Inuit. "I want a government that will review, help and assist with the social wellbeing of Nunavummiut that won't just cut off funding and programs," Eegeesiak said, referring to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. The foundation provided funding for programs to help deal with the lasting impacts of residential schools.

"I was dismayed and disappointed at the Aboriginal Healing Foundation cuts," Okalik said.

When it came to uranium mining policies, Aglukkaq said she trusts the Nunavut Impact Review Board and its decision.

MacCallum said mining companies have a lack of accountability and the Green Party would hold them to very high environmental standards.

Okalik and Hicks said they would leave the uranium mining decision to land beneficiaries through a vote.

In his closing remarks, Hicks compared Stephen Harper to former American president George Bush.

Okalik said no matter which candidate wins, "We need to have a brighter future and we still have a lot of work to do."

Nunavummiut and other Canadians head to the polls on May 2.

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