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?

While the current NWT mining story providing jobs/benefits to our residents is all but written, we still have an opportunity to participate in a meaningful way to remediation of 3 maybe 4 sites for at least a couple of years. While these are likely to be lower paying jobs than producing mines have, the jobs should ultimately provide the bridge needed to see proposed federal investments turn into actual projects providing the next wave of economic activity in the city. This city's reliance on mining and exploration jobs will not go away entirely in the coming years, and its a misnomer to think it will. Yellowknife unfortunately will not see the same level if direct sponsorship and investment previously provided by NWT Diamond Mines.

There is a significant level of participation by suppliers, expediters, airlines, contractors, accommodations, etc. primary in the Western Kitikmeot region of Nunavut that is largely unnoticed by the general public While Yellowknife businesses additionally continue to support exploration/mining activities in Nunavut and tourism continues to grow in the city, we already need to be looking forward to the "next thing" to further reduce the risk of the boom bust cycle that we thankfully have yet to see the true bottom of.  If "Plan A" is based on the pending federal investment, what is "Plan B" in the event "Plan A" is delayed or fails to materialize? The NWT, and in particular Yellowknife, will need to advocate to continue being the primary source of Nunavut's "Southern hires contractors/suppliers". In the context of a Northern infrastructure deficit, being neighborly is mutually beneficial on many levels.

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?

To assist business in the city with a direct increase in costs associated with property damage, theft, and security, I want to ensure we are first working with the authorities having jurisdiction so that violators are being held accountable for their actions while also being offered rehabilitation supports in relatively real time, before there are many repeat offences in a short period of time form an individual or individuals.

The city currently has a diverse set of incentives and grants for residents and business to apply to for funding a range of different investments. As an member of council I would like to have a grant established for vandalism/repairs/security that is maybe below insurable minimums of businesses and has a higher focus of downtown business to align with the downtown intensification and revitalization strategies/policies/programs. to pay for the additional grant available to business, I would additionally look to make unused budgeted grant funds from the established grant offerings accessible as the primary funding source in the short term negating the need to increase property taxes to do the same. Once the need and actual funding need is understood "in house" over a 2yr timeframe (without a consultant being required), we can look to increase/decrease the funding as needed.

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?

Our new Council will need to continue addressing a shortage of available housing and an inherent lack of land to build new housing on in the very near future. With a major federal infrastructure project now on our doorstep, namely the DND airport expansion in 2-4 years (early construction), and an expected workforce increase in nearby mine remediation work, we need to entice newcomers with an option to stay and "plant roots".

Considering infill options for development makes sense form a cost perspective, due to the relatively low cost to access nearby services. Not all greenspaces or parks need or should be infilled, but they certainly need to be considered from the view of what is best for Yellowknife's in the long term, while also considering options to develop laterally at substantially higher cost. I believe that the new Frame Lake North land transfer is a great option to develop laterally, but it's not without debate, and by no means going to be quick and cheap. I also believe there will need to be land set aside in the eventual development of the Frame Lake North for new greenspace along with improvements to the Frame Lake Trail. With that said, our new Council will also need to ensure the City's administration continues to follow its own guidelines/policies, every time. Not doing so will create costly delays. Consultation and collaboration will continue to be necessary as we purposefully look to develop land, and increase our tax base, so as not to burden Yellowknife's and business alike with the city's upcoming infrastructure needs.

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?

An educated workforce is a strong workforce that is able to adapt to any project's needs. In terms of having a larger workforce, we need to improve the cost of living mindset. Despite many many families struggling to make the ends meet, I do not believe we are the only city in this situation and further believe the outlook is muck bleaker in many of them. Opportunity still exists in and around Yellowknife for meaningful participation in the local workforce and in turn to be less worried about the ends meeting given the the right decisions are made by an individual on their financial decisions.

I don't think we need to be overly focused on further diversifying our workforce, as i believe we are already largely there, and our primary focus needs to be on enticing southern businesses/contractors/employees to realize all that Yellowknife has to offer. Information sharing sessions between local businesses and all levels of government will go along way with keeping the dialogue open as to needs, opportunities, and challenges