Election frenzy hits Nunavut politicos

As Nunatsiaq News was going to press on Wednesday afternoon, political organizers in Nunavut were scrambling to name their candidates for the federal election in the event that the Liberal party were to lose a confidence vote in the House of Commons yesterday.

The Liberal party was feeling less rushed as they plan to stick with current MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell. A nomination meeting is scheduled for May 27, but party member Alain Carrière says it will be a formality, as nobody has expressed interest in challenging Karetak-Lindell’s candidacy.

David Aglukark Sr. of Arviat announced his candidacy for the Conservative Party on Wednesday.

“I do believe it’s time for Nunavut to have a different tone of voice in the House of Commons, as a representative of Nunavut rather than the voice of the party interest,” Aglukark said.

Specifically, Aglukark mentioned Karetak-Lindell’s recent decision to vote in favour of a bill to allow same sex marriages. In Aglukark’s opinion, that decision does not represent the view of her constituents.

“This is not sitting well with the people of Nunavut.”

The New Democratic Party riding association planned to meet last night to discuss their search for a candidate.

Nunavut’s Green Party representative Nedd Kenney did not name names on Wednesday, but said that his party will field a candidate in the next election.

“It’s the intention of the party to run a full slate nationally,” said Kenney, who ran in the last election himself.

The Marijuana Party of Canada will also have a candidate. Ed deVries of Iqaluit plans to run on a platform of decriminalizing pot. (See story on page 6.)

As of Wednesday, Conservative leader Stephen Harper said his party would try to defeat the Liberals by voting against a bill that adds $4.6 billion in spending to the budget, in a deal the Liberals struck with the New Democratic Party.

A defeat, said Prime Minister Paul Martin, would result in a federal election.