Iqaluit votes 2015: Jason Rochon wants compromise

Jason Rochon says he's not happy with the direction Iqaluit city council is going, and that's why he felt the need to step up and run himself.

"There are some current and past practices that have not been sitting well with me," Rochon said. "It would be easy to sit back and criticize but I would rather seek a seat on council and be part of the solution."

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Rochon has spent the last 11 years as a classroom support worker for kids with special needs at Nakasuk and Joamie elementary schools.

He says he's tired of the black and white way in which council approaches controversial issues. He points to a recent debate over whether to drop a prayer from council meetings.

"With the prayer fiasco, everyone was either for it or against it and there was no compromise and no one was offering any solutions." Rochon says.

"Another issue was the pool, people were either for it or against it. It was either going to be a $40 millionpool or no pool at all and I felt that I would have met halfway."

Over the years, Rochon says he's taken an active role in the community: he's a member of the Nunavut Pride Committee with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, a member of his workplace health and safety committee, and last year he was elected as the second vice-president for the Nunavut Employees Union.

Nine people are running for Iqaluit city council, as well as three for mayor, in the Oct. 19 municipal election. CBC North will profile all 12 candidates.