Pujjuut Kusugak has seen a fair amount of change in voters’ habits since Nunavut first became a territory. The Rankin Inlet resident said today’s candidates are trying to get more people involved in the election process, as well as going to the polls, so he sees a strong push in people trying to encourage each other to make their voices heard. He said candidates have been trying to get people out to the polls more than ever before because voter turnout hasn’t been all that great over the years in Nunavut. “Talk picks up around election time and the main talk focuses on housing and infrastructure,” said Kusugak. “The cost of living is also right up there with those. Those three topics have been talked about quite a bit and seem like a mainstay during election times.” Kusugak said the federal election earlier this week also featured talk on sovereignty, a subject that continues to arise and has stuck around for quite a while. He said today’s candidates are also taking advantage of social media to let voters know what their platforms are. “That’s, really, the way to do it today because travel is so hard and it can get interrupted so easily by either weather or mechanical issues. “That can really complicate a lot of things. “Traditionally, it always seemed like people voted for the person here, but there have been some talks about supporting the party over the individual, at least during this federal election anyway. “So, I think, that’s really beginning a bit and it probably has to do with this party leadership thing going on right now. It’s definitely something people are talking about.“ Kusugak said it’s expected that every candidate needs to have a good understanding of the issues facing Nunavut. He said he’s really hoping that they understand their party’s stance on areas where Nunavut needs help. “People now also want to know how the candidates would take their positions and really advocate to make sure that positive things are happening for Nunavut. “We might have the smallest population, but we also have the largest land mass and, with the whole talk of sovereignty going on, we’re right at the forefront and cover the whole Northern coast. “We absolutely need our system to work. Hopefully, with the focus that was on the North with our recent election, the government realizes that we not only need to keep Nunavut in mind, we have to protect it and do everything the parties promise to do to help better it because it’s needed. “If we’re at the forefront and part of the discussion, then we need to make sure we keep them (the parties) accountable that way.”
Nunavut voters look at more than just individual candidates, says Kusugak
