Get to know the people running to be Whitehorse's next mayor

Five candidates are running to be the next mayor of Whitehorse. In the territory's rapidly growing capital, candidates say community safety, fiscal responsibility and infrastructure are top priorities.

Here's a look at who's running.

While infrastructure has been a focus in Whitehorse city budgets for years, long-overdue upgrades to the city's water treatment system and Robert Service Way may put an unprecedented amount of pressure on city spending over the next term. 

"We have in front of us possibly over a half a billion dollars in infrastructure needs over the next four or five years," said sitting councillor Kirk Cameron. "And to my way of thinking, it's that basic need that's going to drive the agenda for this next council." 

While the federal government has pledged $45 million dollars for a major Robert Service Way upgrade, the total cost of the project is expected to cost at least $61 million, leaving a $16 million dollar shortfall.

A new water treatment system approved by council in June is expected to cost $55 million. 

Cameron said he's also worked with every First Nation in the Yukon and brings over 20 years of public service working with the city, territorial, provincial and federal governments.

"This last term of three years, I think we've got a lot accomplished," he said. "It's been a very active council. [City administration has] had to take a huge amount of workload from us that drives the agenda and I believe that's going to move on to the next council as well." 

If elected, Cameron said he would continue that agenda, which was "all about the basics, infrastructure, getting agreements with territorial and federal government." 

"We are in a growth stretch here that doesn't seem to stop," he said. "And that means this city council is going to have to spend a lot of time talking to not just the old timers like myself around here, but also the newcomers to get a real sense of where they want this community to go."

Dan Bushnell is co-owner of Molotov and Bricks Tattoo and a member of the Together Whitehorse slate. He said he would seek to make up the financial gap for projects like Robert Service Way by conducting operational efficiency reviews to identify areas where the city could cut costs, as well as exploring public-private partnerships.

"We're looking at fiscally responsible decision-making," he said. 

As a downtown business owner himself, he said he's passionate about addressing safety concerns and property damage in the city's core. 

"The main priority, right away, is going to be safety," he said. "People are afraid. It's creating these terrible divisions. And the amount of pressure that's been put on the business community in terms of break-ins and the lack of response we're getting in support is really something we need to look at."