Iqaluit votes 2015: Terry Dobbin wants to be a watchdog

With the City of Iqaluit already in $8 million in debt and expenses from the new aquatic centre continuing to add up, Iqaluit city council candidate Terry Dobbinsays council needs a watchdog. That's why he's hoping to be re-elected in the city's Oct. 19 municipal election.

Dobbin, who has served on council since 2012, says the financial mess the city finds itself in was not one of his making.

"In council, majority rules," he says. "I am just one of eight there. I've always been overruled."

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A political science graduate, Dobbin has lived in Iqaluit since 1999. He's spent the past 16 years as the Baffin advertising representativeforNorthern News Services (publisher ofNews/North), and says that experience hasgiven him a strong understanding of the issues facing Canada's youngest capital and the needs of its residents.

Addressing the city's finances is among his top priorities.

"We've got to eliminate the deficit," he says. "That's one of the things I want to really concentrate on, and get our financial house in order, but we can't be making cuts to our essential services."

Dobbin also wants to address the city's strained relationship with the federal and territorial governments. He says the relationship needs to be fixed so that all three levels of government can work together to rebuild Iqaluit's aging infrastructure.

Nine people are running for Iqaluit city council, as well as three for mayor, in the Oct. 19 municipal election. Stay tuned for profiles on all 12 candidates.