Election Notebook
Election not time to discuss issues: Firth
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, November 9, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Voters in the NWT riding of Mackenzie Delta should not hold their breath while waiting to here what candidate William Firth has to say about the issues ahead of the Nov. 23 territorial election.
In an e-mail response to News/North's questionnaire seeking his stance on important territorial issues, Firth stated, "I don't believe in adding my voice to any of the issues at this time until after the elections are held."
That line would remind some people of former Conservative Prime Minister Kim Campbell. She gave a statement during the federal election campaign in 1993 which a reporter reduced her to having said that "an election is not a time to discuss important issues."
News/North reached out to Firth and gave him an opportunity to explain how he expected people to vote for him if they do not know where he stands on the issues. He has not responded as of press time.
Another Mackenzie Delta candidate was anything but shy about discussing the issues. Norman Snowshoe said addressing the cost of living in the region is among his main priorities.
"The residents of the communities are paying huge hydro and water bills and there was no explanation about the hikes," said Snowshoe.
"There was also an increase in fuel prices without any explanation. We have a lot of people in the region who work hard and pay a huge amount in bills that's not comparable to the rest of the territories. I'm running to address those cost of living issues as well as the social issues we have." Snowshoe, 52, said he is focused right now on getting elected but feels if he does get in, he would be a good candidate for a cabinet position.
Also running in the Mackenzie Delta riding is incumbent Frederick Blake Jr.
"My platform is to represent the people of the Mackenzie Delta and bring forward and concerns or issues that we have in the communities. They are different from each community. I work well with the other MLAs and the community leaders," Blake said.
"I'm approachable and my main priority is the Mackenize Delta. That is the way I have been operating for the last four years."
The fourth candidate running in Mackenzie Delta is former MLA and cabinet minister David Krutko, who retired from politics in 2011. He said he came out of retirement to run in this election because he feels he can still make a difference.
"Seeing the situation in the communities ... it's pretty dismal and I just can't stand by. I still have something hopefully to offer. We have to shift the focus back to stabilizing our communities and ensure the well-being of people is being taken care of," Krutko said.
"What we've seen is too much time and energy on these mega, major projects without realizing that we're taking away a lot of the resources and the potential of a lot of communities. We've got to put the focus back on the people and the communities."
Jaque won't use newspaper for advantage
In the southern part of the territory, newspaper publisher Don Jaque said he will not use his paper for an advantage over his opponents - incumbent Michael Miltenberger and Louis Sebert - as he runs for MLA in Thebacha.
"The reputation and credibility of the paper means a great deal to me and I would never jeopardize it," the Northern Journal owner said.
"I met with my editorial staff after I decided to run and told them about my intentions and that I would take extra care to be at arm's length in anything to do with the campaign. I asked that they treat me as they would any candidate. I am not taking out any advertising in the newspaper that is larger or more frequent than my opponents. So far they have used one quarter page ad per issue, so that is what I am doing as well. Neither Lou or Michael have suggested to me that I might use the newspaper to advantage, nor have I heard that from anyone else in Fort Smith."
Sebert, a Fort Smith lawyer, teacher and municipal politician, agreed with Jaque and said he doesn't view Jaque's role at the newspaper as a conflict or a problem.
Both Sebert and Jaque said it is time for a fresh face for the Thebacha district.
Miltenberger is running for a sixth consecutive term having first been elected in 1995.
"Where he is not so good is working at the constituency level. He does not come up with creative ideas and has no vision of the future for the community," Jaque said of Miltenberger.
Sebert said it is time to look at the issues through new eyes.
"Committee meetings which are closed by default should be open by default," said Sebert.
Jaque and Sebert both said they also want to see more funding for Aurora College's Thebacha campus in Fort Smith. Miltenberger said he is running on his political record.
"You can't buy experience, you can't borrow it, you can't learn it," said Miltenberger.
"You have to earn it and I've got 20 years as an MLA learning the craft and my profession, 14 as a minister doing the same thing at a time when that kind of experience is very valuable as we move into the first assembly post-devolution."
He added he does not believe that his constituents have suffered because of his busy cabinet schedule.
"In 20 years I have helped hundreds and hundreds of constituents. I have one of the best constituency assistants and we provide very good service. I have many satisfied constituents," said Miltenberger.
