In an interview with Yellowknifer, Ben Hendriksen, who has a background in policy and governance, shares his thoughts on the importance of having a diverse council.

Could you introduce yourself for anyone who may not know who you are?

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been a Yellowknifer since April 2011 originally and left in early 2017 so my partner, now wife, could get the education to become a teacherSA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檝e worked for different public sector organizations in Yellowknife. When I was over in Dublin (Ireland), I was working as a lobbyist and an advocate in adult learning and education.SA国际影视传媒�

What do you hope to change if youSA国际影视传媒檙e elected?

SA国际影视传媒淲ay too often I hear from my friends and co-workers that they really donSA国际影视传媒檛 understand why decisions are being made on council. I think the recent 50/50 lot decisions and conversations are a really good example of that. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 really important that council and administration are accountable for their actions and for people to understand whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening. Communication really shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be as challenging as it seems to be.

The second big reason ISA国际影视传媒檓 running is for a diversity of views on council. My goal over the next month is to show people that I do have a different viewpoint than a lot of other candidates. I have those governance and policy skills that I think are really important to be an effective and competent councillor. There are challenges, but you need to explain to people whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on so that youSA国际影视传媒檙e leading and bringing people with you, rather than just expecting people to accept what youSA国际影视传媒檙e telling them.SA国际影视传媒�

Why have you decided to run now?

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 something that ISA国际影视传媒檝e always had in back of my head, and now is election year. I have the skill-set that I think is needed, and I am lucky enough to have the capacity and the time to contribute to this, and not everyone does. If people like me donSA国际影视传媒檛 step up, then who will?SA国际影视传媒�

What are your must haves?

SA国际影视传媒淗onestly, there is no SA国际影视传媒榤ust have.SA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檓 not running off of the belief that if I run, I absolutely need to have this one thing happen in order for me to feel that ISA国际影视传媒檝e been a success because, quite frankly, if you run a one-issue platform, youSA国际影视传媒檙e going to potentially have that checkbox ticked, and then what else are you there for? For me, itSA国际影视传媒檚 about long-term thinking and electing people to council who are invested in the work and invested in an idea of what they want to achieve.SA国际影视传媒�

Are there any other comments you would like to add?

SA国际影视传媒淚 just really hope people are engaged in the election, make sure that they registered to vote, and get out to vote.SA国际影视传媒�