Rankin InletSA国际影视传媒檚 Laura MacKenzie says she plans to fight for all Nunavummiut if she is voted in as the next MP for Nunavut in the Sept. 20 federal election.

MacKenzie was announced as the candidate for the Conservative Party on Aug. 16.

In her campaign launch speech, MacKenzie said she decided to run for the Conservatives because the partySA国际影视传媒檚 values align with Inuit ones.

SA国际影视传媒淭he similarity between Inuit Qaujimajataqangit and Conservative principles is why I chose to run as a Conservative,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚nuit believed in pijitsirniq, which means SA国际影视传媒榯o serve others in order to improve the common good.SA国际影视传媒� This aligns with the Conservative PartySA国际影视传媒檚 belief in representing all northern Canadians.SA国际影视传媒�

Among the issues she hopes to address, if elected, are NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 housing crisis, mental health, Elders care and sharing of resource royalties.

In an interview with Kivalliq News, MacKenzie said tackling the housing crisis will require a multi-faceted approach.

One of her suggestions is to hire more workers in the North in order to lower the construction costs for new home builds. She also said she would like to see more communal retirement homes built in the territory. Offering care earlier for Elders would allow them to transition into a space where they are comfortable before they develop critical health issues, she said. It would also have the added benefit of freeing up more homes for younger generations.

SA国际影视传媒淏efore they get into a high level of care, they should be able to live together. It would be similar to retirement homes down south,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

One of her biggest plans is to keep more resource royalties in Nunavut. She said this would give Nunavummiut more control over funding and would make more money available for infrastructure and housing.

SA国际影视传媒淚f itSA国际影视传媒檚 our money and itSA国际影视传媒檚 in our territory, weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to be careful,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 all about devolution and bringing that back to Nunavut.SA国际影视传媒�

In order to address NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 mental health gaps, MacKenzie said culturally sensitive resident counsellors need to be available to provide around-the-clock support to those in need.

SA国际影视传媒淚 really believe if we can do trauma-informed therapy delivered by Inuit in a culturally sensitive way, I think it would really work,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

When it comes mandatory vaccinations, MacKenzie said while she is vaccinated and recommends others do so, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 in favour of allowing people to make their own choice.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou canSA国际影视传媒檛 force people,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淩emember there was a whole residential school system where people were forced. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 believe in that.SA国际影视传媒�

With the growing number of graves being uncovered at former residential school sites, MacKenzie said she would like to look into the possibility of offering funding to Nunavummiut who want to visit the graves of people buried outside the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淭here might be families that might want to visit their remains. There might be patients that had TB, who left and never saw their family. We have to look at that moving forward and say what will we do collectively to make sure that a person can visit that grave,SA国际影视传媒� she said, adding that such visits would go hand in hand with trauma-informed therapy.

MacKenzie has more than 15 years experience working for the territorial government, most of which has been in her role as director of economic development and transportation.

She has also run several small businesses in addition to being involved with several non-profits, including Rankin Inlet daycare and shelter.

MacKenzie said her experience with government and running a business make her well-suited to get things done in Ottawa.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 all about being able to sell what you want to do,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 being able to pitch as a politician but also as an insider from within.SA国际影视传媒�