Lori Idlout’s switch to the Liberals is drawing attention across the country, and from the people she represents in the territory.
Nunavut NDP supporter Joanasie Akumalik thinks the North will lose a fierce public critic of the government.
“I think she will not be critical anymore with the government, and she will not be critical anymore with Liberal policies,” he said. “I think she will be muzzled… When the Liberals vote on issues, she will have to follow them.”
But Idlout said crossing the floor to the Liberals is exactly what’s going to get her heard in parliament. The move also brings the Liberal Party just two seats away from a majority government, with byelections – two of which the Liberals are widely expected to win – scheduled to take place next month.
Idlout had been an outspoken critic of the Liberal government on things like the Inuit Child First Initiative, the housing crisis in the territory, and more. She previously said she wouldn’t cross the floor because it would affect her ability to openly criticize the government.
But now, Idlout said she had to switch, largely because her constituents kept telling her to.
“I need to listen to Nunavummiut I was starting to feel like I was betraying the wrong people. And to betray them was feeling daunting,” she said.
(Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
She said by crossing over she’ll be able to work directly directly with ministers to help make sure that decisions being made help people in Nunavut.
“I could help make sure that the policies that are being passed have a better sense of reflection of what the needs of Nunavummiut are,” she said.
“Without party status it is very challenging to be heard in Parliament.”
Stripped of official party status in the House of Commons after winning just seven seats in the last federal election, the NDP lacks guaranteed time in debates and Question Period.
‘We vote for the person, not the party’
Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. said he supports Idlout’s move. He said Nunavummiut are less concerned about partisan affiliation than voters in other parts of Canada are.
“Generally in Nunavut we vote for the person, not the party,” he said.
Nunavut operates with a consensus-style government. There are no parties in the territory’s Legislative Assembly.
The only time that Nunavummiut vote for partisan candidates is in federal elections.
Former Nunavut cabinet minister Manitok Thompson, now based in Ontario, said if the territory only has one seat, it’s better suited for the opposition.
“Is it [to] become a backbencher and be another vote for the governing body?” she said. “Or do we want it to be in opposition to ask questions and put the Inuit issues out? That’s something we really need to think about.”
She said Idlout, as a New Democrat, had done well advocating for Inuit.
“That one chair for Nunavut was on fire. Fighting for Inuit rights, and Inuit issues she did such a great job,” Thompson said. “We were so proud of her.”
Thompson said Idlout was good with connecting with people on the ground in communities as well.
“The problem is she will have to toe the party line now, so we won’t be seeing her going after the governing body of Canada,” she said.
Idlout said crossing the floor does not mean that her mandate or the causes she fights for have changed.
“My commitment will always be first and foremost to Nunavummiut. In addressing the immediate needs… right now there are too many people in overcrowded housing, there are too many people in poverty,” she said.
“I think my voice coming from Nunavut will have a strong influence on the decisions being made.”