Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - While most races in the territorial capital are open, meant to fill vacancies left by outgoing MLAs, Yellowknife Centre is not one of them.

Incumbent MLA Robert Hawkins is running a fierce campaign to hold the riding he won in a seven-way race in 2003, one that has bright yellow "Hawkins" signs dominating the Yellowknife landscape.

The 36-year-old former city councillor is facing one-time Stanton Foundation head Sue Glowach, former city councillor Ben McDonald and Yk City Lodge owner Bryan Sutherland.

Glowach, 49, said she is focusing on health in her campaign - for people, businesses and the environment.

"I don't think we are doing a very good job on the streets of Yellowknife," she said. "We can use our resources more effectively."

She recommended additional treatment facilities in Yellowknife to deal with the drug and alcohol abuse, while diversifying the territory's economy through the arts.

McDonald, 57, is hoping to bring his "proven leadership" to the fore in the campaign, emphasizing his three terms on council, and 25 years in the labour movement.

"I'm focusing on issues like the cost of living," he said. "The cost of housing is a big problem."

Aside from that, McDonald said the distribution of classroom space in Yellowknife, as well as the health care professional shortage are key issues.

Sutherland, 32, has a major beef: the very structure of the legislative assembly.

"The system we have today was designed to evolve," he said. "If it is not evolving, it is not working."

While he does not explicitly mention the introduction of party politics - preferring to focus on tourism, child care and cleaning up downtown - Sutherland has a website dedicated to the creation of an "NWT Party."

After four years in the legislative assembly, Hawkins said "crime reduction, more addictions treatment, and further environmental protection," are his main priorities.

He credits his time in the legislative assembly for bringing forward several pieces of potential legislation - though not all got off the ground.

"I initiated several smart energy efficiency programs," he said, "I brought forward the SCAN (Safer Communities and Neighborhoods act) discussion."

SCAN was sent back to committee during the end of the 15th assembly. Regular members were worried that the act - which was designed to give the courts more powers to evict bootleggers and drug dealers - would not work in the communities.

Hawkins also takes credit for the new territorial licensing system, increased disabled housing, and discussion on the creation of a territorial ombudsman.

Yellowknife Centre is by far the most urban and developed riding in the territory. The capital's core is home to 1,523 eligible voters who live in the heart of the commercial district, among offices, retail stores, bars and restaurants. It is also the flashpoint for many of the city's social problems. 50th Street in particular has been the focus of numerous crackdowns on drug and alcohol abuse.