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MLA offices open for business, complaints — and job requests

"We will do everything in our power to help our people"

GREG YOUNGER-LEWIS

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE
Nunavut's 22 constituency assistants serve as the MLA's direct line of communication with their communities. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT)

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Nunavut's army of front-line political workers return to their communities this week, ready to handle anyone from irate constituents to job-seekers.

Office workers for Nunavut's 19 constituencies descended on Iqaluit earlier this month for a week's worth of training on how they can best serve both sides of the political equation: voters and the MLAs they elected in February.

Although many workers have only been on the job for a month, they're already well-versed in their responsibilities. After only one sitting of the legislative assembly, the workers said they're already receiving calls and requests to attend meetings.

Alex Ningark, 34, felt better prepared for the job ahead after the week of training, and plans to keeps his community up-to-date on what Akulliq MLA Steve Mapsalak is working on in Iqaluit.

Ningark, who's based in Kugaaruk, said he expected to have his hands full with calls about housing issues, and concerns about preserving Inuit culture and language.

Ningark also expected to attend community meetings on Mapsalak's behalf, and report back to the MLA about the concerns of the community.

"If he can't make it [to the meetings], I have to be there," Ningark said.

Residents also ask constituency assistants about bread-and-butter money issues. Johnny Kootook, 32, of Taloyoak, expects to help constituents in their job hunts, and lead groups through the maze of territorial programs in hopes of finding government funding for projects like the elders and youth centre in his community.

Kootook, the constituency assistant to Leona Aglukkaq, the Finance Minister and House Leader, sees himself as the tie that binds communities to their busy, and sometimes distant, elected representatives.

"They [MLAs] are here in Iqaluit," Kootook explained over a lunch break in the legislative assembly. "They can't be two places at once. My role is to be the liaison person between the MLA and people in Taloyoak."

During the recent training, the assistants also became well-versed in handling media calls, with a warning that reporters might use the workers' comments to cast their boss in a bad light.

Paul Riendeau, the 27-year-old assistant to Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo, said he now knows to keep his opinion to himself when the media calls - and stick to the main part of his job.

"I help Hunter in everything I can in his office when he's not present," Riendeau said. "We will do everything in our power to help our people, which is Iqaluit Centre."

Stepping in for an MLA has its downsides. Constituency assistants need to be ready to take criticism on behalf of their bosses, according to Amie Nashalik, assistant to Pangnirtung MLA Peter Kilabuk.

Nashalik, who stuck out as one of the only veteran assistants attending the week-long workshop, said sometimes callers will be angry, and workers have to bear it with a smile.

"It can be stressful, especially when you're getting complaints form the community," Nashalik said of working in a constituency office. "You have to be courteous. Sometimes it doesn't always work out, but you have to do the best you can."

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