INUVIK
More than 100 people turned out to see legislative assembly hopefuls lock horns Nov. 12, peppering candidates with questions ranging from help for fire departments in smaller communities to whether or not marijuana should be legalized.

Inuvik Chamber of Commerce Bright Lubansa, right, starts off the evening at the all candidates' forum Nov. 12 with candidates Dez Loreen, Alfred Moses, Robert C. McLeod, and Jimmy Kalinek. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

Candidates from both Inuvik districts - Boot Lake and Twin Lakes - participated in the forum organized by the Inuvik Chamber of Commerce.

Incumbents Alfred Moses and Robert C. McLeod sat down alongside challengers Dez Loreen and Jimmy Kalinek to take questions from moderators and the public in the community lounge at the Midnight Sun Complex.

Overwhelmingly, however, citizens were concerned with the cost of living.

From questions about what the territorial government could do about the rising price of gas to the need for more and better jobs, people implored their candidates to make things easier for them and their families.

"I'm not sure the GNWT can regulate private industry," said Moses, adding that there is precedent for subsidies in the case of natural gas.

"I thought it went very well," McLeod said at the end of the evening. "I thought the candidates needed more time to make final comments . in the assembly we have two-and-a-half minutes to make member statements."

Mostly, though, he complimented the people who had come out to the forum to better know their candidates and ask their own questions.

"We had good participation from the audience," McLeod said. "If we had gone on longer, we would have had even more questions."

The Inuvik-Tuk Highway was touted as not only a current job stimulator but one that will pay dividends in the future in terms of connecting communities. Former Green Party candidate John Moore asked candidates to justify the cost of such infrastructure projects, citing a 335-year period to pay off a proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway and noting the Tuk Highway will never pay for itself in purely economic terms. Candidates replied that the price tag is not the only thing to consider.

"It's about connecting people," said Moses.

McLeod agreed, adding that sometimes governments have to bite the bullet and spend that kind of money to make things easier for people. In a separate conversation, he also said the highway to Tuk could allow for greater access to more gas wells could help alleviate the cost of heating in Inuvik.

The questions, however, that divided candidates the most was that of the legalization of marijuana.

Kalinek said he isn't sure but thought there may be money to be made.

While Moses said the drug is a menace to society and that it leads to all kinds of social ills, including rape and assault.

Loreen said he is entirely in favour of legalization.

"I 100 per cent agree that we should legalize marijuana," he said, adding that it will create revenue and help curb crime but that it should be regulated like alcohol. "People are always going to want to get high, so we need to make it safe for them."

Other questions concerned education reform, challenges NWT residents face competing for government jobs, and homelessness. The question on homelessness drew a swell of applause from the audience and passionate answers from the candidates.

"It's a big concern for Inuvik, they have nowhere to turn," said Kalinek. "It shouldn't be just a place to sleep, there should be an opportunity for programs during the day, looking at healing, counselling ... helping them move forward and find work."

He also spoke highly of the now-defunct Inuvik Works that used to help people transition from homelessness to meaningful employment before the funding ran out.

Loreen and Moses agreed with McLeod in his appreciation for the turnout. Loreen said he thought the forum would be in the community hall downstairs but was pleased to see a packed house and hoped people would stay involved in the process of government.

Moses said that the forum was also a good opportunity for people to get caught up on what the government has been up to.

He also commended Kalinek and Loreen for putting their names forward.

"It's great to see two new candidates stepping forward. It's not easy to sit up here and address a roomful of people like this," he said. "I encourage all residents to get out and vote. Those turnouts show that people care what's going on, and the higher percentage we have, the more leverage we have in Yellowknife."

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