Comment ends speculation 'premier; would seek another seat

Premier Paul Okalik left no doubt about his political intentions this fall, telling Nunatsiaq News Aug. 29 that he'll run for the legislative assembly once again in Iqaluit West.

"Absolutely," Okalik said when asked if he'd seek a third term in the upcoming territorial election, scheduled for Oct. 27.

"I'm making plans to seek another term," he said. "I've been very pleased with my constituents' support and I look forward to the coming election."

Rumours had been circulating for months that Okalik would leave federal politics and seek the Conservative nomination in the next federal election.

There were also rumblings that Okalik would run in Pangnirtung, his home town, and a seat currently held by Peter Kilabuk, speaker of the assembly.

But Okalik confirmed he'll take a third run at Iqaluit West.

Okalik, 44, crushed challenger Doug Workman in the 2004 election, taking 77 per cent of the vote. Okalik also won easily in 1999, when he took more than 50 per cent of the vote, defeating Ben Ell and Matthew Spence.

The legislative assembly will reconvene Sept. 9 in Iqaluit for one last sitting before the election. At that sitting, the government will ask MLAs to give third reading to the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.

The house will dissolve Sept. 21, and the writ for the Oct. 27 election will be issued Sept. 22.