Housing, airline monopoly and ‘unnecessary deaths’: 3 candidates face off in Kugluktuk
Stanley Anablak, Bobby Anavilok and Simon Kuliktana running to represent riding
Stanley Anablak, left, Simon Kuliktana and Bobby Anavilok are the three candidates running in Kugluktuk for a seat in the Nunavut legislative assembly. (Photos courtesy of Elections Nunavut)
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.
A former Kugluktuk mayor and a former Kitikmeot Inuit Association president are challenging the incumbent MLA for the Kugluktuk seat at the legislative assembly.
Residents of Kugluktuk, the second-largest community in Kitikmeot Region after Cambridge Bay with a population of 1,382, will choose between candidates Stanley Anablak, Bobby Anavilok and Simon Kuliktana.
Anavilok, a father of three, artist and volunteer teacher of traditional skills, has represented the community as MLA for the past four years.
“There are still some issues that need to be dealt with,” he said.
Many issues facing Nunavut, such as access to health care and housing, stem from the “N.W.T. days” before the creation of Nunavut as a territory, Anavilok said.
“With all the concerns and even stuff to do with climate change, some policies need to be able to address real issues for Nunavummiut,” he said.
Agencies like Nunavut Housing Corp. and local housing authorities, for example, need to reform in order to alleviate the “housing crisis,” he said.
Another issue Anavilok believes must be addressed is Canadian North airline’s monopoly in the region.
“It’s just so expensive, you know, there’s no competition for them and they make everything so expensive,” he said.
As MLA for the riding, Anavilok said he has advocated for a new health centre in the community, and a replacement for its aging power plant where work is in progress.
Kuliktana, a development officer for sports and recreation for the Nunavut government, is a first-time MLA candidate but previously served as mayor of Kugluktuk for one term.
“As mayor, I always believed in the strength of working together at a community level,” he said.
One of Kuliktana’s priorities over the years has been sports and recreation, which he believes is essential for the mental health of Nunavummiut.
A father of four and grandfather of eight, over the years Kuliktana has volunteered for various sports teams and recreation committees.
He said his top priorities if elected include advocating for increased funding to build housing and for maintenance, better support for elders and youth, pushing for fair food prices, and creating solutions that “empower our people and our territory.”
Also, he said, there are too many “unnecessary deaths” from preventable diseases in the community because the local health centre doesn’t have the necessary testing equipment.
“I am committed to listening, bringing people together and pushing for real community-based solutions that reflect our community,” Kuliktana said.
Anablak, the former president of KIA who retired before the end of his term in 2022, could not be reached for comment for this story.
Anavilok, a father of three, artist and volunteer teacher of traditional skills, has represented the community as MLA for the past four years.
“There are still some issues that need to be dealt with,” he said,
You think Bobby! of course there is! WHY? Cause you never opened your mouth to talk about any issue the past four years, WHY ARE YOU EVEN RUNNING?? Then we have the Knight in Shinning Armor Stanley Anablak, what a joke, first you quit, or got told to step down for what ever reason we will never know why from KIA. Can we get a copy of the audit for us people here in Kugluktuk? then I’ll make decision on who to vote for….okay thanks for confirming what we all knew….My vote is for SIMON! If Simon is elected we won’t have to hear excuses why why he quit, why he can’t speak, just someone whom is concerned about his community.
Good luck Mr. Kuliktana!! God Speed. Siksik out!
I’d vote for the middle guy in the picture.
Yes. I would vote to make a difference and the middleman is they way to go ●
Change is VITAL . If you want different or change, do not vote for the same MLAs. Do NOT vote for the same to remain the same. NEW and CHANGES are good most times. Exception: if an MLA had only one term so far.
I not voting for anyone unless they smile first! Also gift card would be nice but think thats NTI?
Also 1300 seems low no?
Well, had it not been for this election, most constituents would not even know candidate Anavilok was even a member of the last Government. Well he was. Believe it or not! He also was a member of the “Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts”. The same Committee that held televised hearings on September 4th & 5th to discuss The Auditor General (AG) of Canada Report on Nunavut Housing Corporation and the NU 3000. If you watched those tapes, you will see Candidate Anavilok asking many, many, good strong questions and trying to get to the bottom of the NHC failures and the NU 3000 disaster…..Ok no you won’t see him…because he was not even there!
Time for the constituents of this riding to be fed up with “works in progress” and time to get some strong representation and a politician who truly wants to work for them.
Candidate Kuliktana, a past mayor wants to increase funding for building houses. The NU 3000 is a multi-billion-dollar project. It is not the lack of money. It is using it properly. NHC giving $270 million to NCCD or NCC 3000 (or whatever), more than 85% now paid and having received only 18 of 316 homes in 3 years is not a lack of money. Its lack of competency. So not sure what advocating for more money is going to do. Someone, anyone, needs to step up and say they will work to fix NHC and the NU 3000 Project. He spoke about Improving mental Health Services, General Health Services and Youth Services. These are certainly extremely important things for Nunavummiut. Although unsure from the article what he plans to do. Would have loved to hear his ideas for what he would do to quote, “empower our people and our territory.”
Then another MIA candidate.
Remember. Ask the candidates tough questions and expect tangible answers. Give an Elder a lift to the polls. Grab a friend and family member and GO VOTE!
hopefully Mr Anivilok is another one term wonder. what did he do while sitting in the first term? because nobody outside Iqaluit knows. if you look back through the previous terms hansard, his attendance sucks, his questions are insignificant and man, he is just hoping and praying to get reelected for his pension.
Mr Anablak, will you tell the good people of the Kitikmeot Region why you left your term as Kitikmeot Inuit Association President? why would you resign from this job, along with John Stevenson the high paid consultant? you both left quickly, quietly and immediately. nobody had the guts to tell us why you resigned so fast.
Mr Kuliktana, you seem to be the least of three evils. it is frustrating as hell, but honestly, we may have to live with you for four years.
would have been wonderful to see one of young female representatives that worked in the Government of Nunavut but alas it was not meant to be.
Good luck to the candidates Stanley Anablak, SImon Kuliktana and Bobby Anavilok. It is with my understanding that Stanley did not resign from KIA but was let go, same with their Director Paul Emingak. No wonder I never see John Stephenson around anymore. Housing, Health Care and Airlines are always the issues within the Kitikmeot region, more so food security.
LOL, Okay and the Tooth Fairy took my teeth last night,
You do know Santa is not real right?
Happy days boys ! Girls ..not so much because where are the ladies with fantastic ideas ? Anyway the ladies need to run things to keep the goverment from not dissolving ! Most of us guys just want in for the wages and pension …women make a difference !