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MACKENZIE DELTA
The Mackenzie Delta saw three more candidates step forward at the end of the nomination period on Sept. 9, making it the most crowded race in the territorial election with a total of five MLA hopefuls.

Mary Clark, Glenna Hansen, Eugene Pascal, Frederick "Sonny" Blake Jr. and Taig Connell are all running for MLA of the Mackenzie Delta, a spot David Krutko held from 1995 to 2011.

Clark, a small business owner who has served as deputy mayor in Fort McPherson and as a member of council in Old Crow, listed devolution, the Peel River Watershed, education and sports funding as major issues in the Delta.

"Their concerns are my concerns too," she said.

She said the government has to support students through more funding for adult education and upgrading programs, which are becoming more and more popular in the North.

On the topic of devolution and the future of the Peel River watershed, Clark said residents, especially elders, need to be consulted with more before any decisions are made.

"We just have to do the best we can taking in everyone's concerns," she said.

Hansen, who served as commissioner of the Northwest Territories from 2000 to 2005, said her past experience working in business puts her in a good position to steer the government out of debt.

"We have this huge deficit and we have to take a look at whether or not the budget is adequate. There's going to be cutbacks, that's inevitable, so what I have to do, if I'm elected, is make sure that I'm very, very prepared," she said.

Hansen said education, housing and health care are also important, and promised to try and find a way to offer more diverse courses to high school students in Northern communities.

In addition, she said the public housing rent formula has to change so families can afford to pay for rent, as well as food, clothing and other necessities.

Pascal, a current hamlet councillor and former band chief in Aklavik, said education, housing and health care are important issues in the Delta.

The father of four said the shortage of doctors and dentists in the North needs to be addressed, but residents also have to be empowered to live healthy lives.

"Right now the system is reacting," he said.

"It's partly my responsibility, but it's also partly the responsibility of the government to provide better services."

Pascal said both a devolution agreement and new Wildlife Act are needed going forward, but they have to encompass land claims and aboriginal rights.

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