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Leona Aglukkaq to run for Tories in October federal election

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Leona Aglukkaq, former Nunavut MP and federal Minister of Health and Environment, announced her plans tol run for the Conservatives once again in the October 2019 federal election. NNSL file photo
Leona Aglukkaq, former Nunavut MP and federal Minister of Health and Environment, announced her plans to once again run for the Conservatives in the October 2019 federal election.
NNSL file photo

The Conservative party announced April 12 former Nunavut MP and cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq is their candidate of choice in the upcoming fall federal election.

“Canada’s Conservatives have a positive vision for Canada, and having Leona join our team again will ensure Nunavut gets the strong representation they deserve in a Conservative government that will lower taxes, and put people first,” stated Conservative leader Andrew Scheer in a news release.

Aglukkaq, who served as Nunavut’s MP from 2008 to 2015 until she was defeated by the now-independent Hunter Tootoo, was acclaimed in the nomination.

When reelected for a second term in 2011, Aglukkaq became the first Inuk to serve on cabinet as Minister of Health, then as Minister of Environment.

“The next election is in just a few short months, and I’m going to work hard every day to help show Northerners and Nunavummiut how an Andrew Scheer Conservative government will help them get ahead, not just get by,” stated Aglukkaq.

During her more than 30 years in public service, Aglukkaq also held a number of positions with the Government of Nunavut before jumping into territorial politics in 2004. She then served as Finance Minister, House Leader, Minister of Health and Social Services and Status of Women.