Election Notebook
NWT Federal election down to four candidates
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, October 5, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
It is now down to a four-horse race to become the member of Parliament for the NWT. Bob Stewart, who said he intended to run for the Libertarian Party, has decided his business was taking up too much of his time.
He opened the Kilt and Castle pub in downtown Yellowknife this past summer.
Also see:
Where the candidates stand on marijuana, terrorism, immigration and crime
"Unfortunately I have withheld the paperwork to file my official nomination. I was not willing to file without the business being on firm ground," stated Stewart in an e-mail to News/North.
"While it is my desire to represent the NWT in Ottawa, my first duty is to the staff who rely on me here in Yellowknife. I have to withdraw from the election as The Kilt & Castle will not be ready to run without my assistance by October 19," he stated.
"Thanks for all you have done to cover my small part in the election campaign. At least for the present, I will have to focus my attention locally."
New returning officer for NWT
With less than a month to go in the federal election campaign, Elections Canada has appointed a new returning officer for the NWT.
Elizabeth Wyman replaces Jean-Michel Besquet.
Wyman, who describes herself as a business owner, would not say why she got the job.
She also would not explain why Besquet was replaced, nor would John Enright, spokesperson for Elections Canada.
A federal returning officer is responsible for the delivery and control of federal electoral events within the electoral district for which he or she is appointed, according to the Elections Canada website.
The Elections Canada office in Yellowknife is located in the Centre Ice Plaza.
All candidates forums to be held in Yellowknife
Voters will get a chance to ask questions of the candidates vying to become the member of Parliament for the NWT at an all candidates forum on Oct. 7.
The forum is being hosted by the social policy group Alternatives North and is being held at Northern United Place at 7:00 p.m.
Aggie Brockman, spokesperson for Alternatives North, said three candidates have confirmed their attendance, the NDP's Dennis Bevington, Liberal candidate Michael McLeod and John Moore from the Green Party.
Conservative candidate Floyd Roland's campaign team confirmed he would not be attending the forum, stating
in an e-mail that he will be busy "meeting with
constituents and knocking on doors."
Candidates release campaign itineraries
Conservative candidate Floyd Roland will be meeting with voters and knocking on doors this week in Yellowknife.
Liberal candidate Michael McLeod will begin this week campaigning in Hay River. He is scheduled to be in Behchoko during the day on Oct. 7 and attend an all candidates forum that night in Yellowknife.
NDP candidate Dennis Bevington will spend the week in Yellowknife campaigning, including appearing at the all candidates forum on Oct. 7.
Green party candidate John Moore will be in Yellowknife for most of the week, meeting with party volunteers and voters.
He will also be at an all candidates forum in Yellowknife on Oct. 7.
