Crystal Martin-Lapenskie plans to vote in the federal election on Oct. 21 and sheSA国际影视传媒檚 encouraging others to do the same.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 important because itSA国际影视传媒檚 whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be priority for the next four years for Canada,SA国际影视传媒� said Martin-Lapenskie, president of the National Inuit Youth Council. SA国际影视传媒淚t doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 take too much time out of anybodySA国际影视传媒檚 day (to vote)SA国际影视传媒� ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not just a constitutional right but itSA国际影视传媒檚 something we have fought for for so many years SA国际影视传媒� women who have fought to vote and Indigenous people who have fought to vote.SA国际影视传媒�
Among the longstanding Inuit issues that she hopes CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 next Prime Minister and cabinet will address are the chronic housing shortage, suicide rates and making health care more accessible.
SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of itSA国际影视传媒檚 been talk. It would be nice to see some action,SA国际影视传媒� said Martin-Lapenskie, who grew up in Hall Beach and currently resides in Eganville, Ont. SA国际影视传媒淚 really do hope that theySA国际影视传媒檙e able to combat the epidemic of suicide and the housing crisis as well.SA国际影视传媒�
Nunavut had the lowest showing at the polls in the 2015 federal election at 53.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island posted the highest result at 80 per cent. Nationally, 68.5 per cent of eligible Canadians cast a ballot.
However, NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 voter turnout improved by 13.7 per cent in 2015 compared to the 2011 federal election. The reason for the jump is difficult to pin down because there are numerous potential factors, according to Matthew McKenna, who works in media relations for Elections Canada.
Among Elections CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 efforts to raise the profile of the 2019 federal election were attending several events in Iqaluit this year including the Nunavut Tradeshow and a workshop for Inuit electors. Elections Canada contractors Ilinniapaa Skills Development Centre, based in NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 capital, also help spread the word about the election, as has Frontier College, McKenna noted.
A diverse ad campaign that entails English, Inuktitut and French advertisements on TV, radio, in print and in digital is another of Elections CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 tools.
In some of the smaller communties, the returning officer enlists the aid of officers to explain how to register and vote, said McKenna, who referred to the police as SA国际影视传媒済reat partners.SA国际影视传媒�
Other initiatives in Nunavut SA国际影视传媒� CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 largest electoral district in terms of geography SA国际影视传媒� include in-person training for Elections Canada staff.
SA国际影视传媒�Because of the size of the territory and the distance between communities, in the past, training election workers was often done by phone,SA国际影视传媒� McKenna explained. SA国际影视传媒淔or 2019, (we realized) the importance of being able to see and touch the election materials theySA国际影视传媒檇 be working with has a huge impact on workers.SA国际影视传媒�
This also includes simulating voting activities, SA国际影视传媒渢o give people a real sense of what to expect,SA国际影视传媒� he added.
The returning officer puts a priority on making Inuktitut voting materials accessible in the territory, according to McKenna.
SA国际影视传媒�The (returning officer) says demand for these materials has been high,SA国际影视传媒� he stated.
On election day, polls will have the option of having one designated elder and youth present to provide interpretation and to answer questions about the voting process, McKenna added.
