An open letter from Nunavut’s Green candidate

Spencer Rocchi, a former Nunavut teacher, says the Green party will champion Inuit rights and freedoms. (PHOTO COURTESY SPENCER ROCCHI)

Spencer Rocchi
Special to Nunatsiaq News

Over the past three days, Nunatsiaq News has profiled candidates from the three major political parties vying for the Nunavut seat in the House of Commons in the Oct. 19 federal election.

Here is an edited version of the letter Rocchi recently sent to us.

I am not a career politician, but a full time teacher. I have lived and worked in Nunavut for three years and have enjoyed warm hospitality from its communities and have grown to admire and appreciate Inuit resiliency in the face of colonialism. This year, I will be working in another northern community, but it will be in Alberta.

You may be asking yourself, why someone who has left the territory is trying to serve as a candidate for the Greens? My sole reason is this:

We are in the midst of a very real global climate crisis. Canada has degraded into one of the least environmentally responsible countries in the world and has done so by allowing mining and drilling companies to take control of our energy initiatives.

With a federal government that is indifferent to the internal struggles of the Inuit (because, let’s face it, Inuit and First Nations land agreements stand in opposition to the “big oil” agenda) the people of Nunavut can only stand to suffer if big changes do not come, and very soon.

When you vote Green in the October 19th election, amongst other things, you can be assured the following:

• localization of government, giving more power to Inuit leaders and elders to make decisions;

• environmental protection from unsustainable commercial practices (seismic testing, drilling, mining, fracking, etc.);

• incentives to convert to natural, renewable energy sources that hold great potential for profits;

• improved social and educational programs;

• a Green government will not be pushed around by corporate lobbyists; and,

• an opportunity to place more importance on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit when developing policies.

The Green Party is committed to helping the Inuit people build a sustainable community, one that in time, will not be so dependent on fossil fuels. We believe that your health and welfare should come before the interests of large, multi-national companies who are invading the Inuit Nation.

The Green Party is committed to securing your freedom, and your rights, as laid out in the Charter of Rights by repealing the invasive Bill C-51.

Known as ‘The Anti-terrorism Act’, this is a piece of Conservative legislation that amends over a dozen Canadian laws, including the Criminal Code, to permit Canadian government agencies to share information about individuals easily.

The repeal of this law is the only way that Canadians will be kept safe, and retain their rights to privacy. Greens will work with any government committed to the repeal of this legislation.

I believe Nunavut can change its own destiny by voting for themselves. You will be the voice empowered by the Green Party if you give us the opportunity.

All elected Green MPs will have the ability to vote the way their constituents want them to vote in the House of Commons, unlike other parties that ‘whip’ their members into shape and force them to vote according to the party lines.

Future generations will define us as a society by how we reacted to the reality of climate change, so let’s make decisions that they will be proud of.

If you would like to support us in our cause, please contact me on Facebook, Twitter or by email at spencer.rocchi@greenparty.ca for information on what can be done to help out.

You have the power to take back Nunavut. Remember to get out and vote on October 19th.