Three Inuit leaders square off to be the next MP for Nunavut
Leona Aglukkaq is
Inuk from Gjoa Haven and is the Conservative party’s (incumbent) candidate for
Nunavut.
Background and
Experience
-Leona is the Minister of the Environment with additional
responsibilities as Minister of the Artic Council and the Canadian Northern
Economic Development Agency. She
previously served as the Minister of Health. She is the first Inuk Cabinet
Minister in the federal government of Canada.
-She sponsored and passed a law that created the Qausuittuq
National Park on Bathurst Island, Nunavut
-Leona was elected as MLA in the Nunavut Legislative
Assembly in 2004 for the riding of Nattilik that includes Gjoa Haven and
Taloyoak. She served as Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister of
Status of Women.
-Prior to her political career, Leona served in various
roles in the Nunavut and NWT governments, including Deputy Minister of various
portfolios.
Hunter Tootoo is
Inuk from Iqaluit and is the Liberal Party of Canada’s candidate for Nunavut.
- He stepped down as Chairmen of the Nunavut Capital
Corporation and has recently taken a leave of absence from Canadian North
airline to campaign full time.
- Hunter was elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly
for Iqualit Centre, he was re-elected in 2004 and 2008 and served till 2013. Nunavut
Housing Corporation, Minister Responsible for Homelessness, Minister
Responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation. He was also the Speaker of the
Legislative Assembly.
- He has served on the boards of several organizations
including: Northwest Territories Co-op Business Development Board, the Sport
North Board of Directors, and Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.
-Prior to his work in the public sector, Hunter was a
businessman and co-founder of the Iqaluit branch of Arctic Insurance Brokers
Ltd.
Jack Anawak is
Inuk from Naujaat and is the NDP candidate for Nunavut.
- He was a Liberal MP for the former riding of Nunatsiaq
(now Nunavut) from 1988-1997. He was the
Liberal Party’s Opposition Critic on Northern Affairs. When Jean Chretien’s
Liberals won the 1993 election, Jack was appointed Parliamentary to the
Minister of INAC.
- He was elected as an MLA for the Nunvaut Assembly for the
riding of Rankin Inlet, He served as Minister of Justice; Community Government;
and Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
-He served He has also served as councilor and Mayor of
Ranklin Inlet.
- Jack was the Vice-President of Nunavut Tunngavik
Incorporated. Anawak is a former President of the Keewatin Chamber of Commerce.
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Riding History:
- Jack Anawak was a former Liberal MP, Hunter Tootoo was an NDP candidate beaten by Nancy Karetak-Lindell.
- The riding started off as Nunatsiaq when Nunavut was part
of the NWT, it later turned into the riding of Nunavut.
- The riding has a history of electing Inuit MPs and facing
off against Inuit candidates from the other parties. Elected to date:
NDP/Liberal Peter Ittinuar, Progressive Conservative Thomas Suluk, Liberal Jack
Anawak, Liberal Nancy Karetak-Lindell and most recently Conservative Leona
Aglukkaq.
- The Aboriginal population of Nunavut is 86.9% within total
Canadian Citizen population (2011 Census). Nunavut is the riding that has the
Aboriginal population compared to total.
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