Canada election 2015: Who's running in the Nunavut riding?
A look at the candidates running in Nunavut in the federal election
A former Liberal MP for the Eastern Arctic (now the Nunavut) riding, Jack Anawak told CBC North that he was a member of the New Democratic Party before he was a Liberal member of Parliament.
Originally from Repulse Bay, Anawak sat in the House of Commons from 1988 to 1997. Two years later, he was elected to a term in Nunavut's first legislative assembly where he was a cabinet minister.
Anawak says there needs to be more money put toward education, and also cites mental health and suicide prevention as high priorities.
"There needs to be more money put toward education whether it's elementary or post-secondary, so that we can have people competing on the same level as southerners with the kind of education they have," Anawak has said.
Hunter Tootoo is hoping to get back into politics as an MP almost two years after announcing he wouldn't seek a fourth term as MLA in Nunavut's 2013 general election.
As the MLA for Iqaluit Centre from 1999 to 2008, Tootoo was well-known for his vocal criticism of cabinet. In 2008, he was appointed to cabinet, where he held several portfolios before becoming Speaker of the House in 2011.
Upon leaving territorial politics, Tootoo joined Canadian North. He was appointed chair of the Nunavut Planning Commission in January of this year.
- Hunter Tootoo announced as Liberal candidate for next federal election
- Hunter Tootoo steps down as chair of Nunavut Planning Commission
- Nunavut Liberal candidate Hunter Tootoo: Conservatives 'buying votes'
Nunavut's Conservative party declared its candidate back in January: Leona Aglukkaq will run for the position for a third time.
In a statement to CBC, the Conservatives called Aglukkaq "a strong candidate" who works every day to better the lives of Northerners.
Since the election was called, Aglukkaq has promised funding for arts and culture, and the tourism and sealing industries.
She says the Conservative government has "made record investments to develop critical Northern infrastructure, build new housing for Nunavummiut and their families and grow Nunavut's tourism sector and economy."
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Leona Aglukkaq announces $7M in funding for Nunavut fisheries
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Leona Aglukkaq says Canada still finalizing targets as climate talks begin
A Green Party supporter who has worked as a teacher in Nunavut for the past three years, Spencer Rocchi says he sees his role as a candidate not so much as a competitor, but more as a placeholder.
"I realistically don't think I will finish anywhere outside of last place," he told CBC.
Still, Rocchi hopes Northerners will think about the environment when they hit the ballot box. He says Nunavut is already bearing the brunt of climate change, and that weakened environmental protections mean conditions will only get worse.