INUVIK
Inuvik Mayor Floyd Roland has officially been named the territory's Conservative candidate and will run for the federal seat in this fall's election.

Roland was the only one to step forward and was selected for the role by the Western Arctic Conservative Association.

With municipal elections also on the horizon, Roland said the decision to step down as mayor did not come easy, adding he saw a move to the federal level as a move toward the greater good.

"A lot of people were hoping I would stay and continue on in my role as mayor and I did weigh that heavily," he said. "But I think overall I can use my energies and focus at a territorial level and bring good fortune."

Though he was relatively mum on what the focus of his campaign will be, Roland said the issue of the faltering economy cannot be ignored and will likely become the focus during the next term for whomever is elected.

"Our economy is one that's unfortunately becoming more and more of an issue when you look at the mining stats, the oil and gas industry, the Imperial announcement and ... our population has dropped," he said.

"That's why I've chosen to go the federal route, because I believe, if successful I can help influence things to the benefit of the North."

With a career in politics spanning nearly 25 years and including a term as premier, talk has already been swirling about Roland's legacy - positive and negative.

He said any time you step into the political sphere, the public will be watching - the key is to keep a level head and focus on past achievements and continue moving forward.

"If you're going to be in politics and you're going to stick around for awhile, you've got to develop a thick skin," he said.

"I have over 20 years in leadership ... that track record will be measured, and the incumbent's will be measured - people will ask, what has been done since the downturn in the economy. What can his claim to fame be?"

Roland says he owes his past success in government to team building and working with others toward a common goal. He said he plans to use this approach again if he makes it to Ottawa - specifically through forging stronger relationships with NWT communities and the Yukon and Nunavut premiers.

"If you want to change things then you have to be part of government, you have to be part of a team," he explained.

"Our communities are in a $30-million infrastructure deficit ... you've got to be able to pull people together and the resources and use that as a platform going down to Ottawa."

He said so far the response from people to his decision to run has been mostly positive and he is optimistic supporters from his days in the legislative assembly will still stand behind him.

"I like to think the supporters ... continue to be there and our purpose now is to prepare for a campaign and then we're off to the races," he said.

"It's how does one best serve the people and I think that's always the question we who jump into the political arena have to ask ourselves."

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