The candidates: Baker Lake

Baker Lake, population 2,265, is the nearest community to Agnico Eagle's Meadowbank gold mine. The Nunavut legislature has heard about the constituency'sneed for better water quality and more staff at the local health centre.

This election, candidates Elijah Amarook and Daniel Piryuaq are running against the incumbent Craig Atangalaaq Simailak.

CBC has reached out to all candidates with a list of questions in Inuktut and English, as well as consulted candidates' own online campaign messages. The available information has been edited for length and clarity.

Elijah Amarook

Elijah Amarook was born in 1970 and raised in Baker Lake.

Fluent in Inuktitut, the Grade 12 graduate has been a wildlife officer with the territorial Department of Environment, the secretary-manager for the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization, and a fuel truck driver for Agnico Eagle.

Amarook is currently a water truck driver for the Hamlet of Baker Lake.

He has served on various committees for the community, including the district education authority, the elders centre and the housing association.

"I am running for MLA in hopes of addressing a number of our community's issues and concerns. Our communities' concerns or issues include housing shortages, educational issues and mental health," he said. "Nunavut has a major housing shortage and that is a major territorial issue."

Craig Atangalaaq Simailak (incumbent)

Craig Simailak was acclaimedin the July 2020 byelectionto representBaker Lake in the fifth Legislative Assembly after Simeon Mikkungwak resigned as MLA.

In the legislature, Simailakvoiced aneed for better water quality and more staff at the local health centre.

Before becoming MLA, Simailak held a variety of financial management positions at the Qulliq Energy Corporation.

Simailak previously served on the municipal council of Baker Lake, including a stint as deputy mayor.

He is the son of David Simailak, who represented Baker Lake in the Nunavut legislature from 2004 to 2008.

Simailak has volunteered as a supervisor at Baker Lake's youth drop-in centre, and has been active insearch and rescue and amateur hockey.

Daniel Piryuaq

Daniel Piryuaqdid not respond toCBC'squestions.