City-builder moves on

DENISE RIDEOUT

In its transformation from being the hub of the Baffin region to becoming the capital city of Nunavut, Iqaluit has gone through its fair share of growing pains. And city councillor Mathew Spence has seen it all.

He’s fielded complaints from residents that Iqaluit’s pothole-covered roads are unsafe and the burning garbage is hazardous. He’s dealt with angry municipal workers embroiled in a three-month labour dispute. And he’s helped the city fight tooth and nail for more money to build basic infrastructure.

Now the vocal four-year councillor, who has sat on several council committees and filled in as deputy mayor, is stepping down from municipal politics.

Spence is moving to Yellowknife with his wife and three children to be closer to his parents and siblings.

At a council meeting on Tuesday, Spence formally announced his departure. “I’ve certainly enjoyed my four years on council and appreciate the support the community gave me in voting for me twice,” Spence told his fellow councillors.

Council members praised Spence for his leadership and presented him with two gifts: an Inuit print and a large banner bearing the new City of Iqaluit logo.

Political life

During his time in Iqaluit, Spence tried his hand at a number of things. He managed the Baffin Business Development Centre, and most recently worked as the venture-development manager for Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.

Spence first came to Iqaluit in 1988 to work as a journalist for Nunatsiaq News. He went from reporting on the goings-on of the municipal government to being directly involved in municipal politics when he was elected to the Iqaluit city council in 1997.

He attempted to take his political career one step further by running in Nunavut’s first election in 1999. Spence ran against the late Ben Ell and lawyer Paul Okalik to represent the Iqaluit West riding, but lost to Okalik.

He continued his interest in municipal politics, and successfully ran in the 2000 Iqaluit election.

Spence proudly discusses his accomplishments during his two terms as councillor.

Planning and developing the city was a major task for Spence, who headed the council’s committee on public works. Many Inuit residents didn’t want Iqaluit to lose its Inuit culture on the way to becoming a city centre.

“The biggest accomplishment was when I was chair of the public works committee. We went out and held some public consultations and got a better idea of how development should be done here,” he said.

He also played a major role in convincing the city it needed a sewage-treatment plant. In 1997, council planned to build a new sewage lagoon, but Spence lobbied for a treatment plant instead.

“I said, ‘That’s not going to do anything for the community. It’s not going to treat the water,’ ” he recalls.

Although the $7-million plant still isn’t operating, Spence said the fact it was built was significant in itself. He regrets that he won’t be here to see it up and running.

Iqaluit’s mayor, John Matthews, said while on council Spence stepped up to the plate when leadership skills were needed the most.

During his first term, the city hired and lost four different town managers. Spence, intent on retaining a qualified person to manage the city administration, personally went on a recruitment drive.

His actions exemplified his commitment to giving Iqaluit residents a strong council and effective administrators, Matthews said.

“He brought a sense of leadership to the previous council. When there appeared to be a vacuum in the leadership, he just stepped forward and provided direction for the council,” Matthews said.

“He’ll be sorely missed.”