Julie Green victorious in Yk Centre
Political newcomer unseats incumbent Robert Hawkins in downtown
James Goldie
Northern News Services
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
One of two women elected in Yellowknife on election night was Julie Green, candidate for Yellowknife Centre.
MLA-elect Julie Green, right, gets a hug from supporter Sharon Chynoweth at Twist on election night. - James Goldie/NNSL photo |
"I was very pleased (with the results)," she said.
"I am very grateful that the voters want change and they chose me to carry that forward."
Green, 55, is a former broadcast journalist who worked at CBC Radio for 16 years before transitioning into a job as director of community relations for YWCA Yellowknife. After three years in that position, she became a self-employed communications and fundraising consultant, working mostly with non-profit organizations.
"I think part of the key to my success is people were receptive to the change message. I sort of had the right message at the right time," she said. "I think people recognize that I have broad experience with the issues that I'm advocating for."
Green cites her work with YWCA and the Edge Poverty Strategy (through a multi-party committee) as experience "working with people living on the margins of society."
She said this experience is particularly relevant to her work as a representative for Yellowknife Centre because the downtown's homelessness situation was the number one issue she heard from constituents during the campaign.
She said while people she talked to did raise concerns about the economy and cost of living, a solution to city's homelessness problems was at the forefront of voters' minds.
"I think that people want to see that happen for the good of people who live on the street and for the good of the downtown," she said. "Addressing homelessness is really a key to making the downtown a more vibrant place to live and work."
Green's victory unseats three-time MLA for Yellowknife Centre, Robert Hawkins.
Hawkins posted a message on his Facebook page acknowledging the defeat and wishing all candidates well going forward, including Green.
"Thank you to everyone who got behind us, we couldn't have ever gotten this far without the help of so many," he said in the message. "Both Sue (his wife) and I have truly loved working with everyone. There is so much to look forward to, I can't wait to see what possibilities are in front of us."
