Aglukkaq on campaign trail
MP says Nunavut elections are won by recognizing each community is different
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, August 24, 2015
IQALUIT
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq said elections in the territory are won by recognizing that each community is different.
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq is looking for another term in the upcoming federal election. She said being able to speak and listen to Nunavummiut in their first language of Inuktitut is important. - |
"Every community is different and you need to approach every community with its own unique circumstances," said Aglukkaq by a choppy phone line from Naujaat.
"Elections in Nunavut are won community by community. That's the approach I have always taken."
She's been on a tour of the territory, meeting with constituents and elders. In Naujaat last week, she was just about to watch her first bowhead whale hunt in the bay, something she was particularly interested to see because of its ties to her work as MP.
"This is important to the community and our government was able to increase the bowhead quota for the North," she said.
Particularly important to her is the ability to speak Inuktitut and find out what Nunavummiut think through their first language.
"They know that I'm approachable," she said. "I speak Inuktitut. I'm able to communicate what we're doing and I'm able to hear what constituents want in their first language. It's important my constituents feel connected to their MP on national issues."
Having served as Nunavut's MP since 2008, Aglukkaq said it's been an honour, that she's worked very hard and is proud of the Conservative government's dedication to Northern issues.
"No other government in the history of Canada has paid more attention to the Arctic than our government," she said.
"The infrastructure investments under our government have been addressing the gap that we've been dealing with for some time. We have delivered a number of policies that are important to the people of Nunavut."
Included in that, she said, are standing up for Canadian Inuit sealers, addressing polar bear management and increasing quotas for fishing and whale hunting.
"Every single year this prime minister has visited the Arctic to meet with Northerners, to meet with my constituents, to hear and see first hand what's important to the North," she said.
The phone line was too choppy to communicate the next question, despite repeated attempts.
Asked what good is having the prime minister visit if he won't take questions or hold a public event, Aglukkaq said he met with locals and elders during his recent stop in Iqaluit.
She said he learned about the importance of the seal hunt from a family in town. The media was not permitted to attend that meeting.
On Liberal candidate Hunter Tootoo, Aglukkaq congratulated him for being chosen to represent the party, but said he has a number of questions she'd like him to answer.
"The Liberals will have to explain to Nunavummiut why they voted against the infrastructure budget recently that supported projects like the Pond Inlet port and the Iqaluit deep sea port," she said.
"Why did they vote against removing the long gun registry? They will also have to explain to Nunavummiut why they would remove the universal child care benefit program."
Of great concern to her is the possible introduction of a carbon tax, which "would raise the cost of absolutely everything."
For now, she's continuing on the campaign trail through Nunavut. She thinks support for her is still strong.
"I am proud of what I've been able to deliver to the North and time and time again I have delivered results to the North, and I enjoy being in the communities and seeing constituents and friends," she said.
Voting guidelines
It is the right of every Canadian to vote. Here are a few items to keep in mind leading up to Oct. 19, when Canadians will choose a prime minister and Nunavut will choose a member of Parliament. Nunavut News/North asked Elections Canada a few questions to make voting easier for Nunavummiut. The two most important points are for voters to get registered and make sure they have identification.
Q: Where can Nunavummiut vote?
A: There will be voting in each of the 24 communities. Ten of those communities will have advance polls as well as regular voting. Advance polls will be Oct. 9 to12. Voting day is Oct. 19.
Q: Are there other ways to vote?
A: Electors in these communities can vote by special ballot anytime, at a returning office or by mail. The deadline to apply for a ballot online is Oct. 13. The good thing about the longer election period is that voters will have more time if they want to use this option.
Q: What is new for this election?
A: For voter identification we now accept ID cards issued by an Inuit local authority and letters of confirmation of residence issued by an Inuit local authority.
Q: What do people need to know to vote?
A: The most important thing is to be ready to vote. If voters can register ahead of time or make sure they are registered by checking online or at the returning office, then they will get a Voter Information Card in the mail that will tell them where and when to vote. Voters should check ahead of time that they have the right ID before they go to the polls. It may be difficult for some residents in the communities to have identification proving residence so they may want to get a Letter of Confirmation of Residence from the local Inuit authority.
Q: How are Inuit being encouraged to vote?
A: We have been working with the Inuit Tapirat Kanatami (ITK) to spread information about voting options. We translated the My Voter's Guide into Inuktitut and ITK kindly translated it into Roman orthography. Closer to the election, we will also advertise in local media to remind people of the voting options and the requirement for identification that proves who you are and where you live.
Source: www.elections.ca wwwitk.ca/news/voting-federal-election
