With a federal election looming, SA国际影视传媒 reached out to the candidates in the NWT, posing questions and giving them a chance to share their vision for the territory. We will be publishing responses we receive from candidates when we receive them with the first one being Kelvin Kotchilea, who's running for the NDP.
What does the future look like to you, both for the NWT and Canada?
People in the Northwest Territories will have a choice in what our future looks like, with the next federal election coming sooner rather than later. Right now, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a choice in front of Northerners: Conservative cuts to the services our communities rely on or hope and relief with the NDP.
The Liberals have let people here down. Things have gotten more expensive, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 harder to get by SA国际影视传媒� and instead of helping, the Liberals have let rich CEOs and mega-corporations gouge people. They donSA国际影视传媒檛 deserve another chance. Then thereSA国际影视传媒檚 Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives, who would cut things like health care funding, dental care and pensions, all to give more to billionaires.
I see a different future for the NWT: one where working people get ahead and greedy CEOs pay their fair share, one where we have good, public health care, and Indigenous peoples see justice. I hope people consider their values and vote for a candidate they can trust and know has their best interest at heart.
What are your main goals you want to accomplish if elected as MP?
Some of the main goals ISA国际影视传媒檇 want to accomplish if I was given the opportunity to fight for the NWT would be:
- To protect our universal health care from Conservative cuts and privatization.
- More federal transfer support is needed to offset the high cost of living and provide more funding for housing in the North.
- To get true Indigenous justice, supporting Indigenous governments with self-government and land claim negotiation.
- To deliver better climate measures, protecting our waters from downstream neighbours
What are your biggest concerns for the NWT and Canada? How do you plan to action those?
The biggest issue I hear from people in the NWT is the high cost of living and housing, especially in our fly-in/barge communities. Things are hard right now; it feels like people are paying more and more but getting less for it. Communities have been pleading with the Liberal government for help, and the Liberals have turned their backs on the North while billionaires get handouts from the government. ISA国际影视传媒檓 tired of it SA国际影视传媒� and I want to see this change. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 why the NDP is fighting corporate greed and will put an end to price gouging. Getting homes built that people in the North can afford and getting more money in peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 pockets.
Another big concern I hear from people in the NWT is coping with the effects of climate change. Over the last few years, weSA国际影视传媒檝e seen low water levels, extreme wildfire seasons and floods. These have damaged communities, peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 income sources and jeopardize our future. What worries me is that over the years, the Liberals have broken a lot of their climate promises, and the Conservatives donSA国际影视传媒檛 seem to agree on if climate change is real. I want to see real climate action that protects the NWT, our waters, forests, and communities and lowers peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 bills.
WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 something youSA国际影视传媒檇 like more people to know about you?
First and foremost, ISA国际影视传媒檓 a worker and strong fighter for the North. I want to see the NWT get a better deal from the government, a better deal for Indigenous governments/communities, and to fight for equity and equality.
I have 14 years of public sector experience with GNWT, and my educational background is in Environmental Science and Finance. I understand the importance of monetary policy and the effects of interest rates on combating inflation and high costs.
I live in Yellowknife, but born and raised in Behchoko, and I am a family-orientated father and husband.
