NTI candidates must show criminal records check

Nunavut Tunngavikis tightening its rules aboutwho can run for a position on the executive.The board now requiresanyone who wants torun in the upcoming electionto providea criminal records check.

The position ofvice president, currently held by James Etoolook, will soon beopen for nominations andNunavut beneficiaries, who are 16 and over, will head to the polls in December.

For the first time, candidates will have to providetheir criminal record.

"That's the difference from all the previous elections from NTI. None of the conditions have changed, just that we are now asking people to prove that they can clear a criminal records check," said Nancy Karetak-Lindell, the chief returning officer inRankin Inlet.

Karetak-Lindell says candidates have always been required to inform NTI if they have a criminal record. Previously, the organization took candidates attheir word.Now, candidateswill have to go through the RCMPand show documentation.

That's easier said than done in some Nunavut communities.The forms are available from the local RCMP but arenot translated into Inuktitut.

RCMPSgt. Yvonne Neigosays some parts of Canada have a faster system, thatuses electronic fingerprinting. That option isn't available in Nunavut.

That means that if RCMP find a potential criminal record, the person applying for the record check has to be physically fingerprinted and then those fingerprints have to be mailed to Ottawa. Once the prints are processed in the national database, the results are mailed back.

Niegosays it's a lengthy process, especially if the person has a criminal record.

"It would be highly recommended the process start as early as the end of August or early into September. That would give time to make sure that a candidates record is identified time for mailing fingerprints and receiving the record back," said Neigo.

According to NTI bylaws, anyone convicted of a serious crime, or indictable offences,will not be allowed to run. People with summary convictions can still be nominated.

NominationsopenOctober 27. The election for the vice president will be held on December 8.