Cost of living, closure of the mines topics at Yellowknife council candidates forum
CBC
Revitalizing downtown and providing additional social programs for the homeless population were subjects discussed at a business forum for city council candidates on Friday.
All 16 candidates attended the event hosted by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce at the Explorer Hotel Friday evening.
The state of downtown was discussed after candidates were asked how they would make the area more attractive for business investment and how they view the intersection between homelessness and public safety.
Candidate Cat McGurk took issue with the framing of the question.
"If we are taking the conversation of downtown revitalization seriously, we need to also understand our contribution to the social fabric," she said.
Steve Payne, an incumbent, said one solution could be taking advantage of federal funding available for additional programs.
Rommel Silverio, another incumbent, said the issue is "not easy" to solve. He said when he first ran for council, he was ideological, but has come to realize how difficult issues like homelessness are.
With the impending closures of the Diavik Diamond Mine and Ekati Diamond mine, candidates were asked which other sectors of Yellowknife's economy they saw as the most promising.
Garett Cochrane said mining can't be replaced but smaller projects can help. He said there should be worker camps established so the construction industry can grow.
McGurk said some low-hanging fruit would include the fishing industry which can be developed with the harbour strategy. She said the art economy is another area that can grow.
Dwayne Simmons said tourism is a big opportunity, and one way this can be advanced is with an accommodation levy — a small fee added to the cost to stay at a hotel or Airbnb that goes to the city.
"This specific hotel levy is something that the city should prioritize," Simmons said.
Ryan Fequet said the Polytechnic University would also open up additional sectors in the city.
Candidates were also asked what could be done to get more industrial lots to market to develop into retail or housing.