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Megan Pizzo-Lyall on the issues

Megan Pizzo-Lyall FRONT
Rajnesh Sharma/NNSL photo Liberal candidate Megan Pizzo-Lyall in Iqaluit, Oct. 8, 2019.

As we close in on the Oct. 21 federal election, Nunavut News asked several questions of the four individuals who have entered the race to become the territory’s member of Parliament.

Megan Pizzo-Lyall
Rajnesh Sharma/NNSL photo

Megan Pizzo-Lyall, Liberal

Q: What are your top three priorities and, briefly, how will you make improvements in each area?

A: For me, the three most important things are helping families, protecting the environment and helping our elders. That’s why I’m proud to run as a member of the Liberal team. Our plan is going to put more money in families’ pockets, and help more Nunavummiut find safe, affordable homes. Our plan also protects the environment and reduces our carbon emissions. Elders are essential to our communities, and that’s why I’m proud to be running on a plan to help even more elders age with dignity.

Q: Nunavut needs approximately 3,500 new homes. How many houses is your party going to build over the next four years?

A: Housing is one of my personal priorities. In August, the Liberal government worked with Nunavut to commit $290 million to build and retrofit homes in Nunavut. It will take some time for all of those homes to be built, but we have committed the money. Also, in our platform are commitments to help people retrofit their homes to make them energy efficient.

Q: How will your party tackle climate change? Is a carbon tax effective?

A: In the North, we understand that climate change is real. A price on pollution like the one in place helps lower emissions, while understanding the unique nature of life in the North by making exemptions for our flights and electricity. A carbon price is only one part of our plan. We will get the North on renewable electricity by 2030 and have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Q: Tell us about an underrepresented issue or something you’ve learned about for the first time on the campaign trail that you now plan to address.

A: As I have been knocking on doors and visiting communities, I have been repeatedly impressed by Nunavummiut innovation and collaboration. In remote communities, we often find new ways to work together. I think it is an important lesson that others can learn and benefit from. If something is working for one community, maybe we can try to expand or replicate it in other communities.

Q: What are you hearing from Nunavummiut about your national leader?

A: I had the great pleasure of bringing Justin Trudeau to Iqaluit last week. I was able to take him to Sylvia Grinnell Park, as well as to the Elders’ Qammaq. We also held a public event where anyone could come and ask him a question or say hello. Overwhelmingly, people told me that they know that he cares about us as Inuit and Nunavummiut.

Q: Do you agree or disagree that a judicial review should be held before compensation is granted to Indigenous people who were apprehended under the government’s child welfare system?

A: The most important thing is to get this right. Right now, because of the election, we can’t have the conversations and collaboration that are of utmost importance. I believe that collaboration, rather than litigation, is the best way to right historical wrongs and advance reconciliation, and I am proud to run with a team that has committed to engaging in discussions around compensation for the benefit of those individuals impacted.

Megan Pizzo-Lyall
Megan Pizzo-Lyall Rajnesh Sharma/NNSL photo