2026 Yellowknife Municipal Election
The next City of Yellowknife municipal election is October 19th. Voters will elect a mayor and eight councillors to four-year terms. Nominations have closed. Advance Voting starts October 5th. Election Day polling places are: Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, École Įtłʼo School, Weledeh School, Multiplex, Range Lake School.
Here are the scheduled debates/forums:
OCTOBER 5th: The Yellowknife Municipal Election Candidate Forum co-hosted by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and several social justice and community organizations in Council Chambers at Yellowknife City Hall.
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- Coun. Garett Cochrane, left, host Ollie Williams and Melissa Syer during a forum on October 5th. LIve public comments acompanied the event. (Image: Cabin Radio livestream)
Ollie Williams: “Give us a concrete example of how you intend to work with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and other Indigenous governments, rather than simply consulting them.”
Garett Cochrane: “I think we need to have a larger conversation, though, not only with participants of the YKDFN but also with the North Slave Métis and the Tłı̨chǫ people. Something I’m a very big fan of down in Fort Smith is the Thebacha Leadership Council. I would love to see a North Slave Leadership Council come together so we can actually address, for example, with defence spending, what socio-economic benefits and compensation will look like. We need to assure that through combined advocacy that these jobs, the labour, the investment remains within the North Slave.”
Melissa Syer: “Representation does matter when it comes to reconciliation, and if you haven’t had a chance to to check him out, go look at Cody Drygeese and his platform. He’s running for City Council, and this would be a first time that we’d have a YKDFN member on City Council. And when I think of reconciliation as a journey, slowly moving forward together, I think that could be a really exciting step forward. As someone who worked in a male-dominated environment for for 18 years, I know representation matters. Seeing yourself matters, and so I think we have kind of an exciting opportunity ahead of us right now to make concrete change.”
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OCTOBER 6th: Yellowknife residents had an opportunity to hear from candidates for City Council at a community forum, hosted by the Community Debate Team and OpenNWT, at the École William McDonald School Gym. Here are comments from candidates who mentioned Indigenous issues:
Nazim Awan: “So, who I am? I am a new visitor. This is a term which is I was corrected by an Indigenous Elder in Ottawa. She said that we are not settlers. Actually, we are visitors.”
Cody Drygeese: “I’m a Yellowknives Dene First Nation member. I was born and raised in Yellowknife, and more than all of that, more than Yellowknives Dene First Nation member, I am a Yellowknifer. I am proud to be here. I’ve been doing a lot of engagement and facilitation with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ Government in their efforts to come to a decision on the proposed Arctic Economic and Security Corridor. Historical enemies have collaborated, and we worked together to come to a great decision for this major project. And that’s what I want to bring to this table: my collaboration skills.”
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- Candidate for Yellowknife City Council Cody Drygeese at a Community Debate Team and OpenNWT event October 6th, at the École William McDonald School Gym. (Image: Facebook live)
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- Candidate for Yellowknife City Council Roberta Campbell at a Community Debate Team and OpenNWT event October 6th, at the École William McDonald School Gym. (Image: Facebook live)
Roberta Campbell: “I am also like Cody; I am Indigenous. I am not YKDFN, though my family members are. I am a member of the Inuvik Native Band, where I was born and raised 55 years ago. I moved to Yellowknife in 2003 to attend nursing school. I chose Yellowknife because Yellowknife was where my family was, and I had three children, and I felt it was important for my children to know their history, as well as their family. Since then, I now have three grandchildren, and I’m now retired from nursing, where I was doing mental health and dual diagnosis as well as addictions. If anyone’s unfamiliar, dual diagnosis is when someone has more than one mental illness or addiction.”
Rylund Johnson: “I really don’t think it’s a priority that Reaching Home funding is going to continue under the Carney Government. You think downtown’s bad right now? Wait until 60 of our most vulnerable residents lose their homes and street outreach funding disappears. We need to accept that we have a very crucial role in housing, and we need to make sure that money doesn’t disappear. And we need to take a much larger role in affordable housing. We have the land. We need to be giving land away for $1 to any non-profit, any Indigenous government, any private developer who will build affordable housing.”
Roland Laufer: “I see the relationship between the Dene First Nation and all other people who actually own this land. As we, like somebody said, are visitors or guests here, it should be a relationship where everybody is on the same level. The words, the ideas, they all should be there. We are in a situation right now, as we see that Yellowknife is changing economically, socially, etc. And I believe the only way is that we actually listen to the Indigenous knowledge holders, to the Indigenous Elders, and to the Indigenous organizations … who work, for example, on treatments for people who suffer under addictions and mental health, when those organizations lose their funding … the city of Yellowknife should be the first one who steps up and makes sure that those organizations still have the funding.”
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OCTOBER 8th: Students from École Sir John Franklin High School’s Green Team, Debate Club and Social Studies Club are hosting a candidate forum in the school foyer from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Candidates will have the opportunity to answer a series of questions prepared by students. Because there will not be enough time to hear from all candidates for all questions, candidates will also have the chance to submit written responses ahead of time. The event is open to the public.
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- From William McDonald Middle School: “A HUGE THANK YOU to City Council and Mayoral candidates for coming to our Student Council Election Forum. Our school community spent time talking about municipal politics to generate questions that mattered to them for the candidates to answer. We greatly appreciate all of you for taking time out of your very busy schedules to support our students learning and civic engagement. We will let you all know our mock election results on October 19th!” (Photo: WMMS/Facebook)
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OCTOBER 15th: The NWT Art Centre Initiative is hosting a forum for mayoral and council candidates to discuss arts and culture at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
There are two candidates for mayor and 21 folks vying for eight seats on city council. Five incumbents are running, including Coun. Garett Cochrane for mayor, running for council. Voters will have a choice of candidates from across the political spectrum, (although our civic politics do not have political parties).
The three current councillors not seeking re-election — Interim Mayor Ben Hendriksen, Tom McLennan, Stacie Arden Smith and Cat McGurk — means the municipal government is losing a public policy wonk, commercial pilot, an Indigenous broadcaster/musician, and a Red Seal carpenter/musician, respectively.
And for what’s thought to be the first time in the city’s history, a Yellowknives Dene First Nation member, Cody Drygeese, is on the ballot. There are hundreds of YKDFN members living in the city, that borders Ndilǫ and is across the bay from Dettah.
Updating your registration with Elections NWT will also update your registration for the upcoming Yellowknife municipal elections. To be eligible to vote in the Yellowknife Municipal Elections, you have to have lived in Yellowknife for one year.
CKLB has assembled the profiles below from information sent to us by the candidates, or through publicly available sources. Please let news@cklbradio.com know if there are any errors.
Working with Yellowknifers to Build a Better City
This October, Yellowknifers will choose a Mayor and Council they trust with the future of our home. This election is a historic moment.
As Yellowknife celebrates its centennial in 2034, we know that the leaders’ residents choose now will shape our City’s future for the years, decades and generations to come.
That is why, I am proud to share that I am putting my name forward to become the next Mayor of the City of Yellowknife.
As Mayor I commit to Yellowknifers that I will:
- Grow Yellowknife strategically and sustainably
- Strengthen services and focus on critical infrastructure
- Lead pragmatically and be results driven
As a born-and-raised Yellowknifer who is also 2SLGBTQ+ and Métis, my love for this urban paradise in the bush I’ve always called home, is at the heart of my commitment to our community. My love and unwavering devotion for Yellowknife and its people got me to run for Council in 2022.
I have had the honour of serving as Deputy Mayor, chairing and being a member of multiple committees, while along with everyone on Council helping lead Yellowknife through emergencies and towards greater economic opportunity.
Together, we must tackle the challenges facing Yellowknifers — from housing pressures and aging infrastructure to strengthening public safety and community wellness—while accelerating the ambitious work already happening to leverage the opportunities coming from transformative Federal investment.
Over the course of the campaign, I will be sharing a vision that is bold in its ambition, and fiscally disciplined in its approach. Most importantly, I look forward to hearing about the issues that matter to residents across our City—from the doorsteps to the forums and everywhere in between.
I know the coming weeks of campaigning will bring insightful and constructive discussions about how we can build a better future for our community.
As Mayor of our community and our City, I will earn your trust with hard work, boundless optimism, and thoughtful determination.
Let’s move Yellowknife forward together.
(Candidate’s online campaign here)
CBC North’s Trailbreaker show hosted both mayoral candidates to take questions. Here’s a good quote:
Cochrane on Indigenous healing:
“One of the last things I was able to get done as as chair of the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness was to allocate over $302,000 to the Tree of Peace (Friendship Centre) for a new program that basically, for all intents and purposes, gets the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation back up (and running). Out of the 240 individuals that use the Tree of Peace, 166 individuals will go through this program.”
On October 5th, Cochrane visited CKLB’s studios to be interviewed by Roy Dahl on Denendeh Sunrise:
And here’s a sample of his campaign photos posted to social media:
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- Coun. Garett Cochrane, a candidate for Yellowknife mayor, goes door-to-door with his partner, Brandon. (Photo: Cochrane/Facebook)
I’m running for Mayor of Yellowknife.
Ten years ago, I came to Yellowknife with the Canadian Armed Forces. I expected it to be another military posting. Instead, I fell in love with this place.
My husband and I decided to make Yellowknife home. We adopted two senior dogs from the NWT SPCA, eventually welcomed our daughter, and somewhere along the way the North stopped being a work posting and simply became home.
Over those ten years, I’ve also had the opportunity to see our community from a lot of different perspectives. I came here as a Naval Warfare Officer and served at Joint Task Force North, planning and executing military operations across the North. Since leaving the military, I’ve led the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, worked in business and the nonprofit sector, and most recently worked in municipal economic development.
Throughout all of those roles, I’ve learned that good leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening, bringing good people together, making thoughtful decisions and getting things done.
I believe Yellowknife is at a generational turning point: this is an important moment for us. We have real challenges to tackle — housing, affordability, infrastructure, downtown vitality and a changing economy. But we also have enormous opportunities ahead of us as attention turns to the North and investment follows.
I think Yellowknife should be ambitious about what comes next. I want us to be a city that works, a city with ambition, and a city people choose. That’s why I’ve decided to put my name forward to be Yellowknife’s next Mayor.
Over the coming weeks, I’m looking forward to getting out into the community, knocking on doors and listening. I want to hear what you love about Yellowknife, what frustrates you, and what you want our City to become.
I’d be honoured to earn your vote on October 19.
(Photo: Hannah Eden Photography)
(Candidate’s Online campaign here)
CBC North’s Trailbreaker show hosted both mayoral candidates to take questions. Here’s a good quote:
Syer on downtown decay: “I think enough is enough. I don’t think enough has been done to make our downtown a pleasant place to to be. It’s a complicated issue, and we need to approach it with empathy, of course, and there are only so many levers at the municipal level to to address the issue. But I think we need to take accountability and be a leader.”
On October 6th, Syer visited CKLB’s studios to be interviewed by Roy Dahl on Denendeh Sunrise:
And here’s a sample of her campaign photos posted to social media:
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- Melissa Syer, a candidate for Yellowknife mayor, goes door-to-door with her daughter. (Photo: Syer/Facebook)
Nazim Awan — a long term resident of Yellowknife and a committed supporter of socioeconomic equality.
I’m proud to confirm I’ve submitted my nomination to run for Yellowknife City Council in the election on October 19th.
For over 20 years, I’ve worked in northern economic development, helping residents, Indigenous governments, communities and businesses grow across the north.
I’ve also been dedicated to serving my community through my volunteer and advocacy work.
Now I want to bring that experience to council.
More on my platform is coming soon, with a focus on leveraging my experience to advance affordability, safety, and meaningful partnerships especially with Indigenous communities and governments.
Stay tuned, and thank you for the encouragement so far.
Let’s build a stronger Yellowknife, together.
There is a lot a stake for Yellowknife over this next four-year term and truly over this next decade. I’m hoping to be a part of the team that sets the City’s direction, ensuring that we meet the moment.
On his election website, the former two-term councillor, current commercial realtor and executive director of the NWT Art Centre Initiative, lists his policy platform under the headings:
A return to smart growth: “Clear direction and oversight from Council will be needed to ensure we do not slide back into the anti-growth approach of the past decade.”
Addressing public disorder: “The goal is not to criminalize homelessness or addiction, it is to re-establish an expectation of respectful behaviour in the many public spaces in our city that we all share.”
Let’s Build On Our Strengths: “We cannot afford projects that require the City to do all of the work or that struggle against conditions we cannot realistically change.)
Rebecca Alty defeated Adrian Bell in the 2018 Yellowknife mayoral election, ending his time in council.
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- (Photo: Bell/Facebook)
Well, Readers… I’m running for City Council
I’ll probably always be uncomfortable with the word “running.”
It makes it sound like a race. For me, it isn’t.
I’m simply saying: I can help. Put me to work.
I’m a Mom. An Educator. A Reservist. A Small Business Owner. A Community Builder. A Relationship Broker.
And like many of you, I’m trying to raise a family, pay the bills, and build a long life in Yellowknife.
I’m a piece of all of you. Children. Youth. Families. Seniors. Local businesses. People doing well. People struggling. People who agree with me. People who won’t.
You all matter. My platform Ready YK has been about opening up the conversation before the press release comes out.
What can we afford? What is sustainable? What can we actually do? I don’t want the conversation happening around you.
I want you in it.
And if you believe in that kind of Council, I’ll need your support.
(Photo: @MunyaVisualFactory)
Hi Yellowknife, I’m Roberta Marie Campbell.
I’m running for Yellowknife City Council because I care deeply about our community and believe local government works best when residents are listened to, respected, and included.
I’ve lived and worked in Yellowknife, raised my family here, and seen firsthand both the strengths of our city and the challenges people are facing.
My campaign is focused on:
People • Community • Solutions
That means practical leadership, responsible spending, and working toward a safer, stronger Yellowknife.
I’m looking forward to listening, learning, answering questions, and hearing directly from residents throughout the campaign.
Listening to Yellowknife • Working for Yellowknife
(Campbell is an Indigenous retired nurse with a background in mental health, addictions, crisis response and community support.)
Yanik D’Aigle is a prominent northern bilingual professional based in Yellowknife for over 14 years, where he now oversees fiduciary matters to protect individuals and the most vulnerable who are unable to manage their own affairs.
He brings over 20 years of financial sector experience and 14 years in IT, telecommunications, sales, and consulting, having worked with Fortune 500 companies and various governments across Canada.
Yanik is also co-owner of Mavinjus Games and Collectibles, a locally owned and operated store.
An active community leader, Yanik has been a director with the United Way NWT since 2020.
He has also been a director for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Disabilities Council, Skills Canada NWT, director and past president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce, past-president of the Rotary Club of Yellowknife and continues to be involved and support many non profits throughout the city.
With over 20 years of financial leadership and advice experience for personal, business, government and non-profit and 15 years of financial regulatory and operational compliance experience, Yanik is running to use his knowledge to help lead the city of Yellowknife make strategic decisions for the betterment of all, while ensuring fiscal responsibility and improved transparency for residents.
Having raised four kids in Yellowknife with Tammy, his partner of 27 years, Yanik wants to ensure Yellowknife remains a great place to live, work and play for families of all sizes.
Hello Yellowknifers,
I’m excited to share that I am running for Yellowknife City Council.
Yellowknife is home, and I care deeply about our community and our future. Through my work and involvement in our community, I’ve had the opportunity to see both the incredible strengths of our city and the challenges we face.
I’m running because I believe Yellowknife deserves strong, practical and thoughtful leadership, leadership that listens, works collaboratively and focuses on making our city an even better place to live, work, raise a family and build a future.
I’m ready to bring my experience, energy and commitment, and I would be honoured to have your support.
I’m looking forward to getting out, meeting with residents, listening to your ideas and hearing what matters most to you.
Thank you for your time, and consideration.
(Demarcke is CEO of NWT Tourism and a former Hay River town councillor.)
K’omǫǫ̀dǫǫ̀ Hoįzì.
Good morning, Yellowknife.
I am excited to announce that I am running for a city councillor position in the upcoming municipal election.
I am a Yellowknives Dene First Nation member, and an active community participant in my hometowns of Dettah, N’dilo, and Yellowknife.
The City of Yellowknife has not been represented by a Yellowknives Dene member in its history. I am looking to change that.
There are over 500 Yellowknives Dene members and thousands of Indigenous people living in Yellowknife. I have never felt represented by any mayor or city council.
I feel compelled to bring our voice to the municipal government, as I believe we deserve to be heard, to be seen, and to be a part of Yellowknife’s future.
Election day is October 19th.
Please make sure you are registered to vote.
On October 9th, Drygeese visited CKLB’s studios to be interviewed by Roy Dahl on Denendeh Sunrise. Being ‘The Voice of Denendeh’ it was appropriate to provide the opportunity to the YKDFN member.
Ryan Fequet has called Yellowknife home since 2007 and has built his career and community involvement around strengthening northern organizations, governance, and communities.
Professionally, Ryan is the Executive Director of the Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board, where he has worked for nearly two decades within the Northwest Territories’ integrated resource co-management system.
His work brings together Indigenous governments, public governments, communities, industry, and other partners on complex issues related to the environment, consultation, and accountability.
Ryan was elected to Yellowknife City Council in 2022. As a Councillor, he has focused on thoughtful and practical decision-making, responsible governance, and finding common ground on complex community issues.
Outside of his professional and elected roles, Ryan has a long history of community involvement.
Ryan holds a Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and is a certified Project Management Professional.
I moved to Yellowknife in 2010 shortly after graduating from the University of Exeter in my native England with a degree in political science.
Since then, I have worked in a range of research and communication-focused jobs in the private sector, non-profit organizations like Ecology North and the NWT Literacy Council, and a brief stint with the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
Yellowknifers of a certain vintage will know me best as the co-owner and chef at the Fat Fox Café which once occupied the empty lot next to the Gold Range Hotel.
Since 2021 I’ve been working as a business development specialist with a local architecture and engineering consultancy where I’ve had the chance to cultivate my interest in urbanism and building science and to build relationships with planners, community leaders, fellow policy enthusiasts, engineers, and construction professionals of all stripes.
I’m a keen musician and an outspoken advocate for several initiatives that aim to strengthen civil society and promote deliberative democracy.
Foremost among these is my advocacy for a system of proportional representation in Canada’s federal elections which I pursue with the support of Fair Vote Canada on whose national board of directors I am proud to serve.
I live in the heart of downtown with my partner of 15 years and our two children who attend École Įtt’ò.
Now that crisp mornings and warm afternoons are in the air, I am writing this note to confirm that I fully intend to seek election as a Yellowknife City Councillor in the upcoming municipal election.
Since being appointed to Council last year, I have approached the role with a practical, resident-first mindset shaped by my long roots in the community, and continued volunteer and advocacy efforts.
Good governance, in my view, means clear priorities, careful use of public resources, and decisions that balance immediate needs with the long-term livability of our city.
Yellowknife is navigating uncertain times. With mine closures happening in real-time, ongoing remediation work at Giant Mine, significant federal investments in northern defence and sovereignty, and major projects advancing across the territory, the pressure on our community continues to grow.
At the same time, many residents and local businesses are feeling the strain of rising costs in their day-to-day lives, making it more important than ever that public decisions are thoughtful, balanced, and grounded in real community needs.
As our city continues to evolve, thoughtful planning, careful stewardship of public resources, and meaningful community engagement will remain essential.
Thank you for the trust and engagement so far. I’m ready to keep working for a well-run, balanced Yellowknife.
Yellowknifers!
I announce here my intention to run for city council.
I put myself forward, in this way, because I love this city, and I think my perspective will be a valuable addition to council.
My bias would be reliably in favour of the poor, the disabled, and the children of our society, small business owners, and also renters, pedestrians, and cyclists.
I will work hard to listen to everyone, both in these groups and outside of them, to come up with solutions that benefit everyone.
I’ll post more in the days ahead. Many thanks — and I hope to show myself worthy of your support.
Fraser Fuite, the Wheel Guy.
Fraser Fuite canvassing. (Photo: Fuite/Facebook)
Hi Yellowknife,
I am excited to announce I will be running for city council in the upcoming election.
For those of you who don’t know me I am the former MLA for Yellowknife North and a former lawyer at the City of Yellowknife.
In my spare time I enjoy organizing obscure community events and being a huge nerd about municipal politics.
I will work hard on city council while thoroughly enjoying the job.
In the coming weeks I’ll share some ideas about how I think we can improve our amazing city. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat or share your ideas.
See you on the campaign trail!
Rylund Johnson campaign sign painted by his partner, Kristel Derkowski. (Photo: Johnson/Facebook)
Gomǫ̀dǫ̀ hoı̨zı̨, Roland siyeh.
I am proud and filled with gratitude to live, learn, work ,and grow on the land of the Yellowknifes Dene First Nation, the Tłı̨chǫ people, and the North Slave Métis.
I have called this city and territory my home since 2019. From living in Old Town, to residing on a houseboat in Yellowknife Bay, to moving downtown, and working in various parts of the city, I have spent many hours in different parts of Yellowknife and my heart is connected strongly to this magical place; its land, water, and spiritual connection.
My work in the airline industry brought me here and since then I have worked in customer service as well as in the education sector.
My love for this city, its Indigenous culture, preservation of language and the environment made me decide to run for city council.
(Laufer was the federal Green Party’s 2021 candidate.)
As many of you know, I have served on Yellowknife city council for three terms now, 11 years.
It’s definitely been an experience for sure. Lots of votes cast, lots of frustrations, lots of proud moments.
From the start all I’ve ever wanted to do was to make my city a better place. We’re never going to make everyone happy but I do try to make my decisions based on what I feel is best for YK as a whole.
This week I will submit my name to serve on Council for a 4th term. Your support is greatly appreciated.
From an interview on Cabin Radio:
“You’re never going to hear me beg for people’s votes. I’m not that kind of person. Every day when we have to make decisions on city council, I make those decisions based on my morals and my values, and I’m going to be honest. And some people aren’t going to like the way I vote, but I am what I am, so you can vote for me or not.”
(Photo: Payne/Facebook)
Okay friends, it’s time to make the open secret public knowledge: I’m running for city council.
I know, I know what you might be thinking. “Isn’t Skye a bartender? A stand-up comedian or something? Didn’t she host a drag show like, last week?”
Yes to all of those things! But I’m great at wearing many hats, and it’s time to use those skill sets in a way that serves the city.
In my decade’s time as a bartender with the Explorer, I’ve been an unofficial concierge to the city.
I’ve been a sounding board and a bulletin board for everyone, so I have some front line knowledge on what we all love about our city as well as what we all want to see improve.
It’s a big moment for Yellowknife, and its a moment that needs to be met with a sense of service, courage to take big swings, and a good measure of good humour.
Sounds like just the job I’m cut out for.
I love this city, and in my 13 years here I’ve been humbled by how much the city loves me right back.
I’m excited for this opportunity to do what I do best, in a way that is new, but somehow familiar: Serving Yellowknife.
(Photo above: Hannah Eden Photography)
(Photo: Plowman/Facebook)
As a longtime Yellowknife resident, community advocate, and volunteer, I am grateful for all that our city has given me. I believe strongly in giving back — and in helping build a community where people, families, businesses, and neighbourhoods can thrive.
Establishing strong connections between physical health, social well-being, financial stability, and the overall health of our community is central to my campaign and to the way I believe municipal leadership should serve its residents.
I offer transparent, honest, and accountable leadership, with a sincere commitment to listening, working collaboratively, and finding practical solutions. I will work to strengthen partnerships among our municipal, territorial, Indigenous, and federal governments, recognizing that effective collaboration is essential to addressing the challenges facing Yellowknife.
My Focus Areas: Community health promotion; support for local businesses; community safety; and accountable municipal government.
I am running because I believe Yellowknife needs thoughtful, constructive change and I want to be part of making that change happen.
That reinforces a belief I carry with me: “If nothing changes, nothing changes.
(Whiteford is a registered nurse, social worker, small business owner and community volunteer.)
Simon Whitehouse has worked in communications and marketing after being a reporter with Northern News Services for close to a decade.
From his announcement: “One issue that pushed my decision to run in this election has to do with the amount of litter throughout our city.
“I frequently walk my dog between Tin Can Hill and Frame Lake and along Wıìlıìdeh Avenue and Kam Lake Road. I am continually alarmed and frustrated by the amount of garbage along our roadsides, lakeshores, trails and public spaces.
“Litter diminishes the quality of our shared public spaces, creates a poor impression for visitors and newcomers, harms the environment and demonstrates a lack of respect for the traditional lands on which we live.
“I would like to explore how Yellowknife can make community clean-ups a sustained part of civic life throughout the warmer months, building on the work already being done by municipal employees, community organizations and volunteers.
“The City already does a considerable amount of work. The Community Services Department has reported, at least in the past, that every year staff pick up dozens of tonnes of litter between May and August which can range from public waste containers, loose litter and dog waste.
“Parks staff also maintain more than one million square metres of parkland across the city which includes 35 parks, in addition to trails, playgrounds, sports courts, docks and other public facilities.
“I would strongly favour the City providing a coordinated, measurable, and ongoing approach to support staff with community clean-ups throughout the warmer months. We cannot have pride in our city and set standards if we don’t clean it up first.”
