LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
In the words of Nahendeh MLA candidate Shane Thompson, he is not running for election - he is applying for a job.

Shane Thompson is running for MLA in the Nahendeh riding for the 2015 territorial election. Voting Day is Nov. 23. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

It is a distinction Thompson wants to make clear, because approaching the position as he would his job means listening, identifying issues, seeking facts and working toward solutions, he said.

Thompson has served in numerous capacities in the Deh Cho since moving to Fort Simpson in 1992, working as a Justice of the Peace for decades and spending the last 23 years as an employee of the GNWT.

Much of his work has been to serve youth and he is a founding member of the Mackenzie Recreation Association.

Bringing the voices of youth and young adults to the forefront is one of Thompson's goals, should he be elected.

"For the last 30 years of my career, all I've been doing is listening to youth, elders and community members," he said.

"Everyone says youth are important, but if they're that important why isn't (the government) doing anything for them?"

Thompson said the government needs to work toward breaking down barriers for youth, instead of putting up more. Young adults who return to the community struggle to make enough money to buy houses, and youth planning for post-secondary education find Fort Simpson lacking compared to larger regional centres such as Yellowknife and Fort Smith.

"(Let's) create a strategy to develop our youth for the future," Thompson said. "Why can't we have (access programs) here? That gives them a year in Fort Simpson ... before we send them off. Has that been thought of? To just say it costs too much money is not the answer - why can't it physically be done?"

Thompson said his time in government and as a justice of the peace has given him the skills to come up with creative solutions when solving problems.

Housing is another issue Thompson sees facing communities in the Nahendeh riding. Despite the current government tackling addiction and mental health issues, Thompson said a lack of housing can be an underlying factor.

"If you don't have a place to call your home, to keep you heated, warm, safe and secure, you don't have self-worth. That's been an issue for 23 years since I've been here and nobody seems to know what to do," he said.

"People who are homeless don't want to be. They want to work, if you give them the opportunity and treat them with respect and dignity - but the government is not helping. Nobody is willing to really tackle the issue."

That, he said, is a job the incoming MLA will need to focus on.

"As an MLA, you shouldn't be allowing these things to happen. You should be standing up and saying, 'These are the issues -- hold these people accountable.' If it doesn't work, do it behind the scenes and get everyone rallied," he said.

"At the end of the day, if you don't stand up and be accountable, you shouldn't be in that office."

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