Nunavummiut who are thinking of running in Nunavut's territorial election have from Monday until Friday to declare their intentions.
Nunavut's second legislative assembly dissolved on Friday, setting the stage for the Oct. 27 territorial election. (CBC)Returning offices across the territory opened Monday to accept applications from people wanting to vie for seats in Nunavut's 19 electoral constituencies.
Chief electoral officer Sandy Kusugak told CBC News that everyone has until 2 p.m. local time Friday to file their papers. The list of candidates will be made public later that afternoon.
"The declarations have to be complete by that time and submitted," Kusugak said.
"We really encourage people that are thinking of running to go over the documents with the returning officer, assistant returning officer, just to make sure they've done it right."
Kusugak added there is a three-hour period after the 2 p.m. deadline, for anyone who has a change of mind and wants to withdraw.
Incumbents, challengers announcing intentions
A number of people — including incumbent MLAs and those who wish to challenge them — are expected to announce their intentions publicly through the course of this week.
On Monday, Tagak Curley said he will go for another term as MLA for Rankin Inlet North.
Making the announcement on a local radio station, Curley said his talks with constituents and local elders have led him to conclude his job as MLA was not finished yet.
"Having considered all these [factors], including my health — my mind is still good — I feel that 4½ years was not enough. We can do still a lot more for the town, for this community," Curley said Monday.
"My family was 100 per cent behind me, so I feel that I'm ready to go again."
Some MLAs already announced their plans to seek re-election last week in the legislative assembly, including:
- Premier Paul Okalik — Iqaluit West.
- Hunter Tootoo — Iqaluit Centre.
- Keith Peterson — Cambridge Bay.
- Steve Mapsalak — Akulliq.
- Levinia Brown — Rankin Inlet South - Whale Cove.
- James Arreak — Uqqummiut.
Iqaluit Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik declared earlier this month that she plans to run against Okalik in Iqaluit West.
Rankin Inlet Mayor Lorne Kusugak said he plans to run against Brown in Rankin Inlet South - Whale Cove.
Meanwhile, a number of seats will be up for grabs, as some incumbents have said they will not be running again.
They include Environment Minister and South Baffin MLA Olayuk Akesuk, Hudson Bay MLA Peter Kattuk and Speaker Peter Kilabuk, who represented the Pangnirtung constituency.
Two seats were already vacant when the assembly dissolved last week:
- Kugluktuk MLA Joe Allen Evygotailak resigned his seat in August to seek the presidency of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
- Nattilik MLA and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq stepped down earlier this month to run for the Conservatives in the federal election.
Iqaluit councillor to vie for outgoing MLA's seat
Iqaluit East MLA Ed Picco said Monday that he would not seek another term, ending 13 years in territorial politics.
In a statement, Picco described his decision not to run as one of the most difficult he has had to make, but said it was time to move on to a new chapter in his life.
That same day, Iqaluit city Coun. Glen Williams announced he will run in Picco's constituency.
Williams, who has lived in the North for more than 35 years, has served on city council since 2000. He said he will step away from his municipal duties during the territorial campaign.
"One of the things I'm looking forward to is stimulating debate amongst the candidates on public policy," Williams said.
"I'm hoping that over this next 35 days or so, that the electorate will have an opportunity to ... make an informed choice, and that they'll have a choice amongst the candidates that are going to run. And I hope that it's much more than just a popularity contest."
Williams cited education, health, accountable government and having trustworthy leaders as the four major issues in his campaign.
Related
Nunavut Votes 2008 »
- 'We just have to roll up our sleeves,' says Nunavut premier-elect Aariak
- Nunavut's new premier-elect said she plans to get to work right away with her fellow MLAs to move the northern territory ahead over the next four years.
- Eva Aariak topples incumbent to become Nunavut's 2nd premier
- First-time member of the legislative assembly Eva Aariak defeated incumbent Paul Okalik to become Nunavut's second premier Friday, and the northern territory's first female premier.
- Nunavut MLAs get ready to pick premier, cabinet
- As members of Nunavut's third legislative assembly prepare to decide who will lead the territory for the next four years, rumours and intense lobbying abound in the contest for the top job.
- Akulliq byelection scheduled for Dec. 15
- People living in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, Nunavut, will finally choose their MLA next month, after a court challenge cancelled the voting there in last month's territorial election.
- Nunavut MLAs to choose premier, cabinet next week
- Nunavut's newly elected politicians will select the territory's premier, speaker, and most of its cabinet ministers in a leadership forum scheduled for Nov. 14.
