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.
Voters in Gjoa Haven will choose a new representative for the first time in more than a decade when they head to the polls this month, with long-serving MLA and speaker Tony Akoak not seeking re-election.
Five candidates are vying to succeed him in the Kitikmeot community of about 1,500 people: Gregory A. Nahaglulik, David Akoak, Megan Porter, David Porter and Sonny Porter.
Nunatsiaq News was unable to reach Megan, David or Sonny Porter for an interview about their campaign priorities.
Nahaglulik, who ran against Akoak in 2021, was born in Yellowknife and raised in Gjoa Haven, where he spent 22 years working for the hamlet including serving as acting economic development officer.
He also served as third vice-president on the Nunavut Employees Union’s executive board.
Nahaglulik said job creation, public safety and food security top his list of concerns.
“Job security for Gjoa Haven community members is something that we are struggling with, such as keeping jobs in the community, especially management positions,” he said in an interview.
“We don’t really have many people trained for some of these positions locally.”
Nahaglulik said he wants to see stronger local training, food bank services, and more transparent support for business development.
“If we can make policies to [improve access] to grants and loans, and make it easier for Nunavummiut to start businesses, that would be a big help,” he said.
Public safety is another priority for Nahaglulik.
“If elected as MLA, I’d like to implement laws to try to stop these street drugs from coming into the communities before it becomes an epidemic,” he said.
David Akoak is emphasizing community-based solutions, such as the new elders’ bus that just hit the road in Gjoa Haven.
Born and raised in Gjoa Haven and currently based in Iqaluit, Akoak has worked with both the N.W.T. and Nunavut governments in housing and liaison programs, and currently serves as director of the Government Liaison Office Program.
Akoak said his current GN leadership role has shown him the importance of building connections to make programs more accessible for Nunavummiut.
“If they do elect me as their MLA, I’ll work hard for them, and I’ll use all the networking opportunities I have outside of the community to allow for closer access to programs at the government or private sector level,” Akoak said.
Other priorities include addressing housing shortages and using infrastructure projects to create local training opportunities.
“Providing adequate shelter should lead to fewer social issues and improve mental well-being,” Akoak said.
Asked if he will move back to Gjoa Haven if he wins, Akoak said he will as “home will always be home.”
Megan Porter, who served as mayor from 2019 to 2023, said on her Facebook that she wants to lobby for better housing, food security, elder care and mental wellness.
David Porter, who worked as a constituency assistant to Tony Akoak, said on Facebook that he would push for more housing, improved health and mental health supports, and more recreation and youth facilities.