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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Dan Wong's Hollwood-esque sign, instructing drivers along Old Airport Road to "Vote Dan Wong," is bold and resourceful, much like the energy he intends to bring to council.

"I think my sign ... is an example of something that's creative. It's new, it's innovative, it's something we had a lot of fun building," said Wong.

"Politics should be exciting and something that's meaningful for the people who are in it." Wong intends to focus his energy on affordable housing and finding solutions that address downtown's social problems.

"(Housing prices are) not like I remember when I was a kid," he said. "Downtown is also not what I remember as a kid. It was a safe place to be. It was a clean place to be where people went out to eat, to go do shopping, to use services, to live together as a community."

Wong said he'd like to see more support for services such as the Dene Ko Day Shelter, and explore other possible avenues for support.

As plans for city development continue, Wong would like to see the city grow "in a compact way" in order to preserve Yellowknife's beloved parks and recreation spots, such as Tin Can Hill.

This election is not Wong's first foray into politics. He ran for Yellowknife Centre MLA in the 2003 territorial election when he was only 18. After completing a bachelor's degree in political science at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., and a master's degree in political science at the University of British Columbia, Wong said he is ready for his next campaign.

"I'm a young candidate ... I'm going to bring a new energy to restore Yellowknife's vitality, bring some new leadership," said Wong. "I'm not a newbie at this. I've been active in politics and governance but I do think we need a breath of fresh air, some innovations, somebody who's willing to take calculated risks to try new things for these problems that we face."

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