Craig Simailak is hoping he can be a voice for the people of Baker Lake after he was acclaimed as MLA on July 24.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople tell me that I am not afraid to speak up about issues that need to be spoken up about,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Simailak was the only candidate to seek office in the lead up to the byelection to replace Simeon Mikkungwak, who announced his resignation as Baker LakeSA国际影视传媒檚 MLA on Feb. 24 due to family reasons.

In an interview with Kivalliq News, Simailak said he was shocked to find out no one decided to run against him.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was a bit surprised,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 was happy of course but mainly surprised.SA国际影视传媒�

The nomination period to replace Mikkungwak was originally supposed to open in March with the byelection scheduled for April 27. However, the dates were pushed back due to concerns over Covid-19.

Simailak said he has considered running for MLA for a while. It wasn't until the opportunity to replace Mikkungwak came up that he decided to step forward.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople have been asking me for a few years now to run as MLA or mayor,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Simailak's experience in elected office includes three terms as a hamlet councillor and another two as a member of the local housing board. He has also worked with Qulliq Energy for the past 20 years, most recently as a purchasing clerk.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople have always approached me when issues come up, when something needed looking into,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey believed in me.SA国际影视传媒�

Simailak, whose father David Simailak served as finance minister from 2005 until he was forced to step down in 2007 for failing to publicly disclose his business interests, will have just 15 months in office until the next election. Among the issues he hopes to focus on are public housing, education and elders care.

SA国际影视传媒淲e haven't had any new housing units for years now,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that he would like to see old units in Baker Lake renovated as well.

As for education, he wants increased trades training in high schools. He also plans to push for better facilities for elders.

SA国际影视传媒淏aker Lake has always been known to have a big population of elders,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e used to have 24-hour palliative care but that was taken away a few years ago.SA国际影视传媒�

Simailak has been in contact with the legislative assembly since being acclaimed and he's currently scheduled to head to Iqaluit for the next sitting in August or September.

He said he's not sure whether he'll consider running again once his short term expires.

SA国际影视传媒淭here's only 15 months in my term so I'm not trying to over reach," he said. "I'm trying to keep it simple.SA国际影视传媒�