Baker Lake race focuses on new health centre, elder facility
Candidates Craig Simailak and Simeon Mikkungwak vying for seat in legislative assembly
Former Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak and incumbent MLA Craig Simailak are running in the Oct. 27 territorial election. (Photos courtesy of Elections Nunavut/File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Nunatsiaq News is publishing riding profiles ahead of the Oct. 27 territorial election. Keep your eye on our website to learn more about who is running in your area.
Baker Lake voters will see two familiar names on the ballot when they head to the polls on Oct. 27: incumbent MLA Craig Simailak and former MLA Simeon Mikkungwak.
Nunatsiaq News was unable to reach Simailak for an interview.
For Mikkungwak, this election marks a return to public service after he resigned in 2020 following the death of his wife.
“Following my Inuit tradition and my modern-day life, I had to ensure that my six children and 17 grandchildren were OK,” Mikkungwak said in an interview.
As a former MLA and speaker, Mikkungwak said his experience in government will help him navigate funding processes and legislation.
“It’s about knowing how the system works, and I’ve seen how everything works behind the scenes,” he said.
If elected, Mikkungwak said his campaign priorities will include construction of a new health centre.
“With over 2,000 people, we definitely need a new facility with proper equipment,” he said.
Baker Lake was the first community in Nunavut to have an elder care facility — the Martha Taliruq Centre, which closed in 2018.
Both candidates have highlighted re-establishing the elder care facility to serve Baker Lake’s aging population.
They also emphasized preparing Baker Lake for the 2028 closure of Agnico Eagle’s Amaruq gold mine and Meadowbank processing site, ensuring local jobs remain available.
“At the time when we were opening the gold mine north of Baker Lake, I was actually the youngest member of the hamlet council,” Mikkungwak said. “As a sustainable hunter myself, we found ways to make [the gold industry] work as a community.”
“Looking at the gold mine road and assets now, as an impacted community, we should look at what economic opportunities we can create from that,” he said.
Simailak worked in financial management positions for Qulliq Energy Corp. for more than two decades prior to his election to the legislative assembly. In the assembly, he served as minister of justice and minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corp. from May 2022 to March 2023.
He shared on Facebook that he has lobbied for a permanent mental health nurse in Baker Lake and has also advocated for creating additional positions in the community.
I wonder what the last candidates were saying at the last Nunavut Elections?
Another MIA candidate.
Mr. Simailak was an MLA and a former Cabinet Minister who resigned in this last 4 year disaster. He was also a Member of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts. The same Committee that held Televised hearing into the Auditor General (AG) of Canada’s Report on NHC & NU 3000 on Sept 4th & 5th. Voters should go watch the tapes and decide if they see a Politician working hard to get to the bottom of the failures. Trying to seek legitimate answers, find accountability, find solutions. You will not. He however thinks constituents should send him back for another 4 years so he can accomplish what exactly?
Candidate Mikkungwak is an experienced politician. That might be good and bad. Depends on what side you come at it from, given the last Governments failures. In the article he offered no plans or actions he would propose if elected. Other than saying he would work for a new Health Center in the Community. Almost every candidate running wants capital dollars for local infrastructure. That is normal. They want the best for their constituents, but it offers no insight to how they move Nunavut as a whole forward to face the mounting territorial challenges. Especially the challenges left by this last Government in Health Care, Social Services, Education and the NU 3000 Housing debacle.
If you get the chance, ask them some tough questions and expect tangible answers about what exactly they will do to move not only their community but all of Nunavut forward. Then make the decision you feel is best. Remember, give a lift to and Elder, grab a friend or family member and GO VOTE!
Where do I pick up the gift card from?
I guess a Community of 200 with common sense there must mighty slim pickings pver yonder. Seems same usual suspects. Same results. No real Key Issues of Town or Risk-taking Abilities for democracy as it is in all Community Positions in every Town Social matters. Any changes?
Wonder if Craig has had any previous Work Place Conflicts ever?