Aglukkaq backs Conservative boss
Former Nunavut MP won't rule out a return to politics; supports new party leader Andrew Scheer
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Monday, June 5, 2017
OTTAWA
Steering clear of a carbon tax and eliminating GST on home heating fuel would be among the reasons Nunavummiut should support new Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, former Member of Parliament Leona Aglukkaq said.
Former Nunavut MP and Conservative cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq, seen here in 2015, says she is excited about the Conservatives' future prospects under Andrew Scheer, whom she referred to as "a great leader for the party." - NNSL file photo |
"When we deal with cost of living, that's probably one of the biggest challenges any Northerner faces on a regular basis," said Aglukkaq, who served as Nunavut's MP from 2008 to 2015 and was the first Inuk to be appointed to cabinet, initially as Minister of Health and then as Minister of Environment.
Scheer, 38, was elected to lead the Conservative party at a convention in Toronto on May 27.
Aglukkaq was at the leadership convention and posted a picture on Twitter of herself holding a sign reading "Nunavut for Scheer" after the voting was done. Prior to that, as a member of the Conservative's national council, Aglukkaq said she remained neutral throughout the leadership selection process.
"The North has always done very well under the Conservative banner, with economic development, with devolution ... and now there's a dead silence on the North and we have the Liberals who want to create a giant Arctic park, and that's not what Northerners want," she said.
Aglukkaq referenced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's joint announcement with then-U.S. president Barack Obama in March 2016 that Canada and America would strive to protect 17 per cent of Arctic lands and 10 per cent of the Arctic marine area by 2020. Trudeau later declared Arctic waters off-limits to oil and gas drilling. Aglukkaq said there was no consultation with Inuit leaders prior to making those decisions.
"He (Trudeau) made that announcement in Washington. Why Washington? Why not in the Arctic?" Aglukkaq asked. "Who's he doing this for?"
The office of the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada sent this statement to Nunavut News/North when questioned about those decisions:
"The moratorium on new Arctic offshore oil and gas licenses in federal waters was announced in conjunction with a five-year science-based review, as well as a one-year consultation on the details of that review. Territories, indigenous and northern communities and industry will all be consulted within that process. We also committed to the Arctic policy framework process so Northerners can lead the way for healthier, stronger communities and sustainable economic development."
The current state of Nunavut politics on the federal stage is not good either, Aglukkaq added, with incumbent MP Hunter Tootoo serving as an independent after resigning from the Liberal cabinet and caucus last year and taking two months off to be treated for addiction.
"Issues that affect Nunavummiut are not being discussed," Aglukkaq said. "I have been so disappointed that Nunavut has zero representation. We have no voice."
Tootoo, who was travelling late last week, could not be reached for a response.
Speaking from the Ottawa area, where she currently makes her home, Aglukkaq, 49, said she has been keeping busy by assisting with mining projects in the Kitikmeot region. She also happily a "hockey mom" to her eight-year-old son, she said.
Asked if she plans to return to the political arena someday, Aglukkaq wouldn't rule it out.
"I haven't closed any doors on what I'll do in the future," she said.
"I'm certainly still keeping on eye on it. It's near and dear to my heart."
