Question 1 - Yellowknife is entering a significant economic transition as the NWT's diamond mining industry changes, with two mines now moving through closure while many of the major projects expected to create new economic opportunities are still several years from full construction. What should Yellowknife be doing now to navigate this transition and position the community for long-term economic success?

Yellowknife has a long history of mining, and I don’t believe we are done with that industry. Gold Terra currently has an active drilling program in Yellowknife and area. The Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and Mackenzie Valley Highway will open up access to different opportunities in the critical minerals and resource sector. Yellowknife residents and business have a long history in building the Norths resource sector, along with a lot of expertise, and I believe it is still a big part of our future.

I am fortunate that I see get to see first hand what the hardworking Tourism Industry brings to this City, with roughly 300 more rooms coming online in the City in the next 12-24 months, we will have even more opportunity for Tourism, and we also have more opportunity to push into our shoulder seasons, which will strengthen our businesses that work in this industry.

I am supportive of a new Aurora College campus in downtown Yellowknife. A downtown campus will bring hundreds of students, faculty, researchers and visitors into the downtown every day. And would create demand for restaurants, retail, housing, professional services, cultural activities, recreation, public transportation, events, and student-oriented businesses. This aligns with the mandate of the College, and we have a proponent in the private sector that is willing to support the advancement of this project at highly reduced cost to the GNWT.

Question 2 - Crime and public safety concerns are also creating direct costs for Yellowknife businesses through theft, property damage and increased spending on security and other measures to protect their employees and property. As a member of City Council, how would you address the impact these issues are having on the business community?

• People create presence, presence can make a street feel more welcoming and more safe.
• I support an Ambassador program that is highly identifiable or visible, trained in conflict resolution and aware of resources for our residents, as well as act as a navigator and ambassador for our residents and visitors. • Increase foot patrols by MED later in the day and evening.
• Enforce the Unsightly Lands Bylaw, many businesses and residents take great pride in their properties, this adds to the overall appeal of our community, for the ones that don’t the City will need to enforce the bylaw.
• We also have another tool for those that are not willing to abide by the Unsightly Lands Bylaw, we can enforce the Business License Bylaw - "The City can revoke or withdraw a business license for violations of City bylaws"
• Support a new Aurora College campus in downtown Yellowknife. A downtown campus could bring hundreds of students, faculty, researchers and visitors into the downtown every day. And would create demand for: restaurants, retail, housing, professional services, cultural activities, recreation, public transportation, events, student-oriented businesses, innovation and entrepreneurship, and importantly would add presence and activity to our community.

Question 3 - Yellowknife needs more development to support housing, economic growth and the long-term needs of the community, but development can involve difficult trade-offs and face barriers that prevent projects from moving forward. As a member of City Council, how would you approach growth and development in Yellowknife?

Ensure we have clear development policies that work for the City as well as developers. Continuously be planning for growth by ensuring we have a steady and ongoing inventory of land for development, and what the implications will be for our infrastructure water, sewer, recreation facilities and transportation. Ensure our zoning bylaws allow for options for different incomes, household sizes and stages of life, including identifying practical ways to encourage housing such as multi-family, infill development and new neighbourhoods where appropriate. Develop a marketing campaign to promote the existing land incentives the City currently has ie)Missing Middle price and conversion grants and Secondary Dwelling Grant, Affordable Non-Profit Grant and more.

Question 4 - The major projects expected in the North will require a larger and more diverse workforce in the years ahead. How should Yellowknife prepare its residents and businesses to participate in and benefit from those opportunities?

As a council we can work with Aurora College, the GNWT, Indigenous governments and industry, to help identify the skills that will be in demand and connect residents with training, apprenticeships, certifications and employment pathways, and advocate to ensure the training is available in Yellowknife.