Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 13/06) - Daycare for city workers? Working with the Yellowknives Dene? A community energy plan? Or put a community energy plan into place?

These were just a few of the issues the 11 municipal council candidates faced at Alternatives North's forum at city hall on Tuesday night - their second stint on the hot seat that day.

Unlike the afternoon forum hosted by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, the event drew a fuller crowd of some 45 voters.

This time, all candidates got a crack at answering the questions posed to them, even if they didn't have an answer.

"I don't really have a straight answer for it. That's a pretty tough question," admitted incumbent Doug Witty, when resident Barb Saunders asked from the floor if candidates would support an on-site daycare for city employees.

He was one of several candidates who declined to commit outright to the proposal.

Only Kevin Kennedy gave the idea a full endorsement.

"Like all council candidates, I like babies," said Kennedy. "If it came before council I'd vote for it."

One issue dear to Alternatives North, a social advocacy group, is the implementation of a community energy plan, yet to be approved by city council.

David Wind said the city should make it mandatory that all building projects brought before council should include an analysis of projected energy consumption needs.

Steve Meister suggested the city ought to adopt new standards to make buildings energy-efficient.

Shelagh Montgomery said she does her part to reduce greenhouse gases at home by heating with wood pellets.

She added that the city should be looking "in-house" to become more energy efficient.

Encouraging more residents to use public transportation was on the lips of several candidates.

"We have to turn around the idea of people going to work thinking they need to bring their truck or car," said Paul Falvo.

Community dissatisfaction with the state of development was also addressed at the forum. Only 51 per cent of residents polled in this year's citizens' survey felt the city was doing a good job planning development.

President Tasha Stephenson likened the current state of development in the city to the "Mississauga-fication" of Yellowknife, referring to the Ontario city's rapid growth and penchant for big box stores.

"Niven Lake phase six is a good example of how things go strange," said incumbent Mark Heyck, referring to the confusion last year after the city initially refused to grant permits to the developer for so-called "modular homes," only to see council allow them to stay a few months later.

"Rather than saying no, we created a whole new zoning to accommodate them," said Heyck, who had voted against the zoning change.

Incumbent Bob Brooks said the resulting confusion is why the last council committed itself to completing a zoning bylaw review.

On what council should do if approached by organized labour, Lydia Bardak said she is a good listener.

"My dad always told me there are three sides to a story," said Bardak.

Candidates were also questioned by Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus on how they intend to improve relationships with the Yellowknives Dene.

He said one sticking point is the lack of paved roads in Ndilo.

Kennedy said it was something that should be addressed.

"If you go downtown and see all the paved roads, and return to your dirt roads, what does that say about your community?" asked Kennedy.

Dave McCann pointed out that Akaitcho land claims negotiations, which encompass the Yellowknives Dene, haven't concluded yet.

That complicates the city's ability to provide services to Ndilo, he said.

Blake Lyons said he would like to see city council invited as observers to the land claims negotiating table for the Akaitcho First Nations.

"If we could have some form of participation it would really be welcome," said Lyons.

The municipal election is Oct. 16.