Roland considers bid to become MP
Former premier and current mayor of Inuvik may seek federal Conservative nomination
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 2, 2013
INUVIK
Floyd Roland is seriously considering seeking the Conservative nomination in the riding of Western Arctic for the next federal election, which is about two years away.
Inuvik Mayor Floyd Roland (right) and Gwich'in Inuvik Band chief Herbert Blake during National Aboriginal Day celebrations earlier thus year. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo - |
The former NWT premier and current mayor of Inuvik said his name has been brought up in different circles for discussion about a possible candidacy.
"I've told folks that I would give it serious consideration going forward," he said.
When asked if he is leaning toward running, he responded with a yes.
Roland, the president of the Western Arctic Conservative Association, said the organization will hold its annual general meeting in February, and the process and timing of selecting a candidate will be discussed at that time.
The timing of a possible official announcement of his candidacy will be tied to the nomination process.
Based on his political experience, Roland said being aligned with the party in power in Ottawa would help get things done in the North.
The former premier also said much has been done by the current Conservative government to help the NWT move forward, mentioning devolution among other things.
"On that basis, that's why I joined the party a number of years ago," he said. "Prior to that, I never carried a card for anybody."
Roland said his role as president of the Western Arctic Conservative Association and as a possible candidate for the party has not yet come up for discussion.
"I think we will discuss that," he said. "I know, as a board, we want to have a very public process, so there needs to be an election for a candidate. So until there is an election for a candidate, right now people can show interest."
Roland served as premier from 2007 to 2011, and was the territorial minister of finance prior to that. He has been mayor of Inuvik for a little more than a year and has two years left on that term.
Roland said he will weigh his duty as mayor of Inuvik and the challenges being faced by that town when deciding whether or not to run federally.
"Looking at the territory as a whole, it makes all kinds of sense in a similar discussion to have experience, to know the process, to know the people at the table, to know the issues," he said.
The Western Arctic riding is currently represented by Dennis Bevington of the New Democratic Party, who is serving his third consecutive term.
Roland believes the riding is winnable for the Conservatives because many voters support the person and not necessarily the party. A Conservative MP has not held a seat in the Western Arctic Riding since Dave Nickerson served as MP from 1979 to 1988.
