NEU president defends 2013 Nunavut campaign donations
Some are questioning political donations made by the president of the Nunavut Employees Union and the NEU Holding Corporation.
Elections Nunavut released candidates’ financial reports last week from last fall’s election.
The reports show the NEU Holding Corporation donated $12,000 to 12 campaigns.
NEU President Doug Workman says there was nothing wrong with those donations.
He says the corporation earns money by renting out office and residential space and does not spend union dues on political campaigns. Workman says the board of directors decide the amount given to campaigns, and anyone who wants donations must ask first.
But Workman says people who receive monetary donations from the holding corporation should remember to keep work within Nunavut and not contract work outside the territory when making decisions.
“However, we’re not a powerhouse,” he says. “We’re not a huge corporation with millions and trillions of dollars so that we can — and I would never think of this anyway — buying votes. That’s just not our way.”
The reports also show Workman made a total of $5,500 in personal donations to five different candidates, including Anne Crawford, Leesee Papatsie, Paul Okalik, Tom Sammurtok and Tommy Akavak. Papatsie and Okalik were both running in the same constituency.
Workman says he’s a Canadian citizen and can spend money how he wishes.
He also says it is expensive to run an election campaign.
“And so when there's a chance to support different candidates to get their message out there, I'll do that. And if I believe in the candidate, I'll do that. And it doesn't matter that they might be running in the same constituency. It's about hopefully getting their message out.”
The Nunavut Employees Union convention, held every three years, is set to begin today in Iqaluit.
Workman is retiring from the NEU.
He has been president since 1998.
NEU Holding Corp. 2013 political donations
- Monica Ell - Iqaluit Manirajak — $1,000
- Anne Crawford - Iqaluit Niaqunnguu — $1,000
- Duncan Cunningham - Iqaluit Niaqunnguu — $1,000
- Jack Anawak - Iqaluit Niaqunnguu — $1,000
- Pat Angnakak - Iqaluit Niaqunnguu — $1,000
- Leesee Papatsie - Iqaluit Sinaa — $1000
- Paul Okalik -Iqaluit Sinaa — $1,000
- Eva Aariak - Iqaluit Tasiluk — $1,000
- Patterk Netser - Iqaluit Tasiluk — $1,000
- Travis Cooper - Iqaluit Tasiluk - $1,000
- Tom Sammurtok - Rankin Inlet North/Chesterfield Inlet — $1,000
- Tommy Akavak - South Baffin — $1,000
Doug Workman 2013 political donations
- Anne Crawford - Iqaluit Niaqunnguu — $1,000
- Leesee Papatsie - Iqaluit Sinaa — $1,000
- Paul Okalik - Iqaluit Sinaa — $2,500
- Tom Sammurtok - Rankin Inlet North/Chesterfield Inlet — $500
- Tommy Akavak - South Baffin — $500