Iqaluit West to hold byelection on Monday

Voters in Iqaluit West will head to the polls on Monday to elect an MLA, one of three byelections to fill empty seats in the Nunavut legislative assembly.

Paul Okalik, who held the riding since 1999, stepped down in April to run as a Liberal candidate in the federal election.

Iqaluit West stretches from the graveyard to Federal Road and is a diverse, densely populated riding made of single family homes and public housing units.

There are three candidates:

• Tuutalik Boychuk.
• Kirt Ejesiak.
• Monica Ell.

Born in Nunavut, Boychuk has an MA in education and says improving the school system is a priority.

"I just want to see what I can do to help people reach their highest potentials," Boychuk said.

This will be the first try at territorial politics for Ejesiak, although he did run in the 2008 federal election.

Ejesiak said poverty reduction and housing is a key issue.

"And it’s not just Iqaluit West, it's the whole territory and I feel I'm able to voice those issues strongly with the government."

Ell is from Nunavut and has lived in Iqaluit West since the 1970s. She has been involved in many businesses and organizations.

Ell said the riding has many positive aspects but also suffers from poverty and a high incidence of suicide. "One of the reasons why I am running is to give back," she said. "I will give this my all if I'm elected, my focus will be helping people."

Iqaluit West usually has a high voter turnout rate, more than 90 per cent cast a ballot in the 2008 general election.

Two other ridings – Pangnirtung and Tununiq – are also up for grabs on Sept. 12.