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Navigating the Unique Election Landscape of Nunavut
Kathy Kettler (R) serves as the campaign manager for Kilikvak Kabloona, a local liberal candidate seeking to represent Nunavut in parliament.
Nunavut, comprising 1.8 million square kilometers (695,000 square miles) and home to approximately 40,000 residents, is the largest federal district in Canada. It operates under a singular parliamentary representation.
“Nunavut is at least three times the size of France. If it were an independent nation, it would rank as the 13th largest following Greenland,” Kettler explained during a recent campaign event.
This vast northern territory experiences extreme Arctic conditions, with average temperatures in the capital city, Iqaluit, remaining below freezing for about eight months each year. Traveling between its 25 communities typically necessitates air travel.
“Yesterday, we flew 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) in a single day, campaigning in Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Arviat,” Kettler said, highlighting the logistical challenges faced on the campaign trail.
Describing the uniqueness of northern life, Kettler noted, “Few people grasp the true realities of living in the north.” She discussed the intricacies of campaigning in an area where conditions diverge significantly from those in southern Canada.
Earlier this month, while canvassing in -24°C (-11°F) temperatures, she recalled how it’s common in these close-knit communities to enter someone’s home without knocking, a practice that might seem unusual elsewhere in Canada. As an Inuk from northern Quebec, she admitted that it still feels odd to adhere to the norm of knocking.
With a majority Inuit population, many in Nunavut communicate in Inuktitut. Kettler mentioned that translating campaign materials and hiring an interpreter for Kabloona presented substantial costs.
Election issues in Nunavut are significantly different from national trends. Kettler pointed out, “While the overarching national campaign focuses on Arctic security and sovereignty, our message here emphasizes food security and survival.” High food prices and insufficient infrastructure for clean water access impact many Indigenous communities across the territory.
Struggles with basic resources are evident; while campaigning in Arviat, Kettler was boiling water for drinking, and noted that many voters have to prioritize food over maintaining phone plans.
The current parliamentary seat is held by the New Democratic Party (NDP), with incumbent Lori Idlout re-running for election, while James Arreak stands as the Conservative candidate.
Jean-Claude Nguyen, the returning officer in Nunavut, is instrumental in managing the electoral process within the district. He discussed the complexities involved in ensuring that ballots and voter lists reach every corner of the territory, including remote locations like gold mines.
“Elections Canada dispatched a team from Ottawa, via Edmonton and Yellowknife, directly to the mine. They provided sufficient time for the workers to vote and collected the ballots afterward,” Nguyen explained.
Security is also a primary concern during elections. Once the polls close, ballots are counted at the local polling stations and securely stored, either with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or local hamlets. Subsequently, the ballots are flown to Iqaluit and then to Ottawa.
Nguyen recounted a humorous incident from the 2019 election when a ballot box arrived damaged after being pecked by a raven en route. “When we inquired with the charter flight company, they simply said it was eaten by a raven,” he laughed, adding that thankfully no ballots were compromised.
Despite the numerous obstacles faced, Kettler remarked on her admiration for the community spirit in Nunavut. “The warmth, generosity, and care displayed by people in every community is distinctly evident,” she shared. “This is what motivates me and enriches the experience of campaigning across Nunavut.”
Source
www.bbc.com