Yellowknife’s two mayoral contenders engaged with questions from the public during a Monday evening forum hosted at city hall, but both opted not to respond to the initial question about identifying a city expense they would cut, freeze, or review before the upcoming budget cycle.
Melissa Syer, a candidate, expressed her disinterest in engaging in “showmanship,” instead preferring guidance from the city’s administration and city council to pinpoint unnecessary expenses during budget deliberations.
Garett Cochrane, another mayoral hopeful, also chose to abstain from answering the question, emphasizing the importance of structural adjustments in the city’s fiscal management to identify areas for potential cuts.
The forum was jointly organized by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, Northern Mosaic Network, NWT Seniors’ Society, Yellowknife Women’s Society, YWCA N.W.T., and Alternatives North. The event was moderated by Ollie Williams from Cabin Radio, who posed questions to the candidates.
Syer and Cochrane addressed various inquiries during the forum, including their strategies for collaboration with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, their approach to combating hate within the community, and instances where they would advocate for the city’s interests against the territorial government.
In discussions about fostering partnerships with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation as the city expands, Cochrane highlighted ongoing negotiations for a memorandum of understanding with the community, proposing a broader dialogue that includes other Indigenous groups like the North Slave Métis Alliance and the Tłı̨chǫ government.
Syer advocated for a more structured approach to consulting with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, suggesting a regular leadership forum to convene multiple times a year with input from all stakeholders.
Regarding addressing hate incidents in the community, both candidates emphasized a zero-tolerance stance. Syer emphasized the importance of leading by example and promptly addressing hateful behavior, while Cochrane committed to combating hate, particularly on local social media platforms.
In terms of pushing back against the territorial government, Syer expressed disappointment over the decision to withdraw the bid for Yellowknife to host the 2035 Canada Winter Games. Cochrane highlighted the city’s underfunding compared to smaller communities and pledged to advocate for additional city representation in the Legislative Assembly.
Before the forum concluded, both candidates participated in a quick round of questions. They aligned on most answers, except for their divergent opinions on the development of part of Tin Can Hill, with Cochrane opposing it outright and Syer considering it only as a last resort.
Overall, the forum provided valuable insights into the candidates’ priorities and approaches to key issues facing Yellowknife.