I’m writing publicly to ask whether any Member of Parliament, regardless of party affiliation, and regardless of geographic location would be willing to help ensure Nunavut residents continue to feel heard and supported during a difficult time for federal representation in our Territory.
Like many Canadian communities, Nunavut faces very real challenges every day: housing shortages, addictions, mental health struggles, food insecurity, infrastructure gaps, public safety concerns, and an extremely high cost of living. These issues affect real people, real families, entire communities across the territory and such they require strong advocacy and accessible federal representation.
At the same time, our current Member of Parliament has faced significant public attention surrounding personal family related matters and politically as our MP decided to change party affiliation during her term. While family members are responsible for their own actions and legally a MP may change parties, It is also fair to acknowledge that the recent political changes, added another level of frustration and uncertainty for some residents regarding representation and accountability.
The public nature of these situations has understandably affected comfort levels and public confidence for some Nunavummiut when it comes to reaching out to her office for help or representation.
To be clear, I am not calling for our current MP to step away, resign, or abandon her responsibilities. This is not meant to be a personal attack. Politics is difficult, and personal matters are even more difficult.
But, at the same time, Nunavut residents should never feel like they have nowhere to turn for support or advocacy from the federal government.
In 2021, when Nunavut’s NDP Member of Parliament had stepped away for mental health reasons, Philip Lawrence, Conservative Member of Parliament for the Ontario riding of Northumberland – Clarke, publicly offered his office for assistance and support to Nunavut residents. Despite the fact that he is representing a constituency thousands of km’s away from Nunavut, he recognized that the people of this Territory still needed someone willing to listen and help where possible.
That simple gesture mattered to people and I believe that same spirit of cooperation and compassion is needed again today.
I’m asking any Member of Parliament with an interest in Northern issues, Inuit priorities, housing, mental health, infrastructure, Arctic sovereignty, public safety, or community wellbeing to consider opening lines of communication with Nunavut residents so people know their voices are still being heard in Ottawa.
Too often, Nunavummiut already feel disconnected from federal systems and decision-makers. In a territory as small and close knit as ours, trust and accessibility matter deeply.
Before people try to turn this into politics or party lines, that is not what this is about. People can support Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, or anyone else. That’s democracy. This is about trust, accessibility, and representation.
The reality is that some Nunavummiut no longer feel comfortable reaching out to our current MP’s office because of everything that has happened and is happening and when residents no longer feel comfortable seeking help or representation, that becomes another serious issue.
Nunavummiut deserves to feel heard, supported, and represented. Especially during difficult times and Nunavut’s challenges do not pause because politics or personal matters become complicated.
Kenny Bell – Longtime Resident of Iqaluit, Nunavut
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