In Aujuittuq, or 'the place that never thaws,' fewer than 200 people make their home surrounded by glaciers, mountains and the cold waters of Jones Sound.

Few outsiders will ever venture into Canada鈥檚 northernmost civilian community, also known as Grise Fiord, located on Ellesmere Island.

But for the residents who reside in the land of the midnight sun, they want assurance they will not be forgotten when Canada elects the next prime minister on April 28.

Meeka Kiguktak, mayor of the tiny hamlet, said a priority for her citizens in this election is food security.

鈥淚t costs too much for groceries. The Nutrition North [program] can help our community with subsidy,鈥� Kiguktak said.

Another pressing issue, she said, is the high cost of travel.

鈥淥ur travel from Grise Fiord to elsewhere, to go see family, is impossible to do. It costs too much.鈥�

And along with the challenges of living and surviving in such a remote location, Kiguktak said security is quickly becoming a priority.

鈥淔or the future, I think we need more protection because we're high up in the North, and security-wise, [Canadian Forces station] Alert is on the same island.

鈥淵ou know, it feels unsecure within our small community... it worries us,鈥� Kiguktak said.

Call for justice 

In the capital city of Iqaluit, Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council President Amber Aglukark, said the council has several critical priorities for Nunavut鈥檚 women, girls and gender-diverse peoples, including violence prevention, creating leadership and governance opportunities, ensuring equity in economic development and opportunities, women鈥檚 healthcare, culture and language and access to housing and food security.

The mandate of Qulliit is to advance the equal participation of women in the territory, and to promote changes in Nunavut's social, legal and economic structures to ensure women, girls and gender-diverse peoples are empowered.

鈥淎fter the federal election, we are hopeful that all levels of government in the territory will come together to advocate for immediate action on the calls for justice from the National Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls; firm and decisive commitment to bodily autonomy for women, girls and gender-diverse people; more resources to end gender-based and intimate partner violence; safe and simplified access to justice; and housing affordability,鈥� Aglukark said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 vital that these issues remain at the forefront of the next federal government鈥檚 plans, as they continue to navigate global economic uncertainty,鈥� she added.

A territory in need

For MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone, who represents the constituency of Iqaluit-Manirajak, a number of priorities stand out for the next PM.

He first cited strengthening the bond with Greenland to improve tourism and trade in a way that will bolster Nunavut's "limited economy.鈥�

And while the draft Nunavut land use plan (NLUP) was completed almost two years ago, he said it must be finalized and signed by the parties involved, including the federal government.

鈥淲hile I am unclear as to what the exact issues are holding up the finalization of the agreement, the NLUP is of utmost importance to Nunavut鈥檚 environmental and economic future,鈥� Lightstone said.

Having the Inuit Child First Initiative (ICFI) made permanent is another issue facing Nunavut, he said.

鈥淚CFI is currently at risk because it is not protected by legislation, and I would like to see this as one of the top priorities of the next government.

鈥淚CFI has changed the lives of so many youth in Nunavut. The program recently received a one-year extension; however, it must be made permanent.鈥�

Lightstone continues to have concerns that the merger of Canadian North and First Air, which was intended to allow for more cost-efficient operations, is not passing savings on to customers. Last-minute bookings from Iqaluit to Ottawa currently cost as much as $2,000, he noted.

鈥淭he recent 30 per cent increase in freight rates will have a significant impact on the cost of living in Nunavut, and enhanced regulation is necessary to prevent such a significant impact on fly-in communities,鈥� he said.

Lightstone also said that after a 2024 review of the Nutrition North program, it still doesn't achieve its 鈥渋ntended purpose.鈥�

鈥淚 do not understand why the federal government insists that the subsidies be given to the private sector. Providing funding directly to 快盈v3ers is the most effective method of offsetting the high cost of living.

鈥淚 would like to see the Nutrition North Program delivered similarly to the Canada Child Benefit, which is non-taxable and deposited directly into peoples鈥� bank accounts.鈥�

Public protection

Both public safety and Arctic security and sovereignty are priorities for Lightstone as well.

鈥淣unavut and the NWT have the highest rates in the crime severity index in Canada. We need the GN and the Government of Canada to enhance the policing budget to better equip the RCMP to provide public safety. More importantly, we need Inuit RCMP,鈥� he stated.

Furthermore, Nunavut needs a permanent military presence, staffed by Nunavummiut, the MLA contended.

鈥淥ur Canadian Armed Forces should not be learning Arctic tactics from our NATO allies when they could be learned from a Nunavut regiment which specializes in Arctic tactics and survival,鈥� he said.

And Lightstone said all parties agree that the prioritization of housing is necessary.

鈥淗ousing in Nunavut has historically been underfunded, which has brought us to our current housing crisis. Iqaluit's near zero per cent vacancy on the rental market is largely due to government staff housing.

鈥淭he federal government has hundreds of staff housing units in Iqaluit. I would like to see the next government put their money where its mouth is [by] stop leasing new units and start building staff housing.鈥�