Third candidate enters Nunavut Liberal race

Apex resident Kirt Ejesiak has thrown his hat into the ring for the Liberal nomination in Nunavut, which opened when MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell announced she won't run for re-election.

Ejesiak, the first Inuk to hold a post-secondary degree from Harvard, served as an Iqaluit city councillor and deputy mayor, and was Premier Paul Okalik's principal secretary. He is currently president of Uqsiq Communications, an Iqaluit-based company, as well as co-manager of an art gallery in Apex.

E-mails with Ejesiak's biography and priorities have been circulating among his friends for over a week, in his efforts to encourage them to join the federal Liberal party.

"We do have a long history of Liberal members," Ejesiak said. "But really, the key to picking your next candidate for the Liberal party is ensuring that people sign up, and I encourage everyone to do that."

Hejoins Rankin Inlet Mayor Lorne Kusugak and former MP Jack Anawak, who announced in January that he would like to get his old job back.

Ejesiak said his main concern is to see Nunavummiut receive the same level of health care and education as other Canadians. He said he also wants to represent a new generation of young leaders in the territory.

"I believe it's time that the new crop of leaders start stepping up to the plate and representing Nunavut in all capacities," he said. "Our current leaders won't be here forever and we need to be able to step in while they're still alive so we could tap into their vast knowledge and resource."

Karetak-Lindell, who was first elected in 1997 and re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006,announced in December that she won't run again, saying she wanted to give her riding association enough time to choose a new candidate. Rumours in Ottawa suggest there could be an election as early as spring.

Alain Carrière, president of the Nunavut Liberal riding association, would not say when a nomination meeting will be called but said anyone who wants to vote must be a party member for at least 14 days before the meeting is held.