Rebecca Alty has been serving as mayor of Yellowknife since 2018 when she won her first election. During her time as the city's top politician, a run at federal office hasn't really been on her radar.
Alty spoke with SA国际影视传媒 on Friday to talk about why she decided to take the jump into the federal ring and it all began when current NWT MP Michael McLeod announced his retirement in July 2024.
"Some folks started to approach me to see if I was interested," said Alty about her decision to put her name in the hat to become the next Liberal candidate. "I wanted to chat with everybody to get an idea of what this job would entail and how much of a difference it could make, whether we're in government or not."
After doing some homework, Alty said she finalized her decision last month. A Facebook post on Friday morning announcing her running as the Liberal candidate for the next federal election made it official.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a snap election on Sunday, which Alty said makes sense given current tensions between Canada and the United States.
"The country's looking to have a leadership in place to work with not only the U.S., but across the world," she said.
Should she win, Alty said her top priority will be housing.
"Housing is so interconnected to everything, whether it's mental health, addictions, the economy. Housing is one of my top ones," she said.
Her main competition comes in the form of Conservative candidate Kimberly Fairman and NDP candidate Kelvin Kotchilea.
What makes her the better candidate, Alty said, is her years-long experience as an elected official. Before she became mayor, she served as a city councillor for two terms from 2012 to 2018.
Alty also mentioned her time as president of the NWT Association of Communities, saying she worked with a multitude of mayors, chiefs and councillors from across the territory.
She said it's important to listen and engage face-to-face with smaller communities, both during her campaign and if she becomes the territory's new MP.
Alty plans on visiting as many communities as possible, though she admitted she probably won't make it to all 33 in the NWT. She's hoping to make that up with phone calls and video calls.
"I'm aiming to go to the South Slave first," said Alty, noting she has to work around people's spring breaks.
Alty has also been in touch with McLeod in order to pick his brain before signing up to run.
"I wanted to hear about his experience and what he felt like he could accomplished and what MPs could accomplish," said Alty, describing that conversation as productive.
McLeod has said in the past that his time as MP has been split in thirds: one-third in Ottawa, another in the NWT and another in various airports.
Luckily for Alty, she said she's pretty productive in an airport terminal.
"That's where I get a lot of my work done," she said.
The last time Alty was in Ottawa was last October with the NWT Association of Communities lobbying and advocating for the NWT with the federal government.
Alty said experiences like that would translate well into her role as an MP, should she be elected.
Alty is now on leave from her job as mayor, explained Coun. Garett Cochrane, and once an election is called by Carney, city council will vote to approve Alty's official leave of absence.
Cochrane told SA国际影视传媒 that will happen on Monday and that Alty will not be in attendance.
During the campaign, Coun. Ben Hendriksen, who's the city's deputy mayor, will become the acting mayor.
"During the election I know she will highlight important issues for Yellowknife and the NWT more broadly," he said.
As for becoming acting mayor, Hendriksen said that won't be happening until at least March 29 because he's out of the country.
"My colleagues will appoint an Acting Mayor for one week until I return," he explained. "As Deputy Mayor, I will give it my best to fill the role of Acting Mayor for the period of the election."
Should Alty win, Cochrane said there will be a discussion about what the options are for council going forward.
If she loses, she can simply return to the mayor's chair, he added.
