James T. Arreak, representing the Conservatives in the April 28 federal election, said his priorities for Nunavut include affordability, infrastructure and Arctic sovereignty.
Guided by Inuit societal values, Arreak said his goal is to make decisions in government that will consider future generations and manage resources with the “best intentions of providing benefit to the people” via "innovative and effective solutions.”
“The taxes imposed by the federal government have been unfair and unnecessary on Nunavummiut,” Arreak said. “Coupled with inflation of 30 per cent since 2015, these are heavy burdens that Nunavummiut have to live with, and I want to help address the affordability issues.”
Born in Pond Inlet but living in Iqaluit since 1996 with his wife Looee and their family, Arreak, who holds an MBA, said putting food on the table has been a “real challenge” for Nunavummiut due to inflationary pressures.
“The Conservatives have announced they want to give tax breaks to Elders, with the first $10,000 tax-free and then they want to cut another 15 per cent income tax from Canadians and Nunavummiut,” he said.
In terms of infrastructure, Arreak said Canada must continue to include Nunavut and the Arctic when it comes to nation-building.
“For Nunavut, infrastructure is a very central issue, considering how it really impacts and supports some of the logistics of supplying Nunavut.
“It includes air transportation, marine, plus other infrastructure needs that we have that would support the delivery of programs and services to smaller communities, such as Grise Fiord, that are at the end of the supply line,” Arreak said.
“The inefficiency of the lack of infrastructure in Nunavut creates and balloons the cost-of-living issues.”
Also connected to infrastructure issues is the proper disposal of garbage from communities, as well as access to water, he added.
“And housing definitely has to be part of the affordability and infrastructure priority.
“We have to engage the communities and the leaders in Nunavut to help us define the best approach,” he said.
On the topic of Arctic sovereignty, Arreak said the Russians have “created some presence” in the North by making huge investments.
“This is where [Conservative leader Pierre] Poilievre also mentioned that he wants to upgrade the North’s warning system, and he wants to advance it so that Canada can be allowed to have better measures to monitor any activity related to anyone coming into our waters.”
“Nunavummiut, particularly in High Arctic communities, have had a very challenging kind of case against sovereignty — the challenge of living here and (Inuit) feeling like they are human flag poles being used by government.
“This is something we’ve got to tackle by supporting communities, engaging them in the process of planning. And Arctic policy has to include the people that live here to say, ‘What do we do and how do we address sovereignty?”
Arreak said the Conservatives want to have two new icebreakers delivered to the North by 2029 to create presence, as well as boost the number of Canadian Rangers by 50 per cent.
“And secondly, he (Poilievre) announced that there will be a new army barracks YFB in Iqaluit that will create a permanent presence in the North.
“So really, with the advancement of technology, I think with Arctic sovereignty what used to be very daunting is now becoming very accessible. This is where we can engage technology for innovative discussion.”
