John Stanley is perhaps well-known in the city as a boxing and kickboxing trainer and coach through Stanley Boxing and Fitness, a business he co-owns with Scott Thomson.

But Stanley has now decided to step into a different ring altogether: the political one.

Stanley has announced his intentions to run in the Frame Lake constituency for the upcoming territorial general election this October. He made it official earlier this week, but stopped by the Yellowknifer office on Thursday to give a brief overview of what his campaign is all about.

He said standing for election is something heSA国际影视传媒檚 always thought about doing and now is the right time.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e thought about it for several years and ISA国际影视传媒檓 at a point in my life where ISA国际影视传媒檓 ready to throw my hat in the ring and see what happens,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e got a family now SA国际影视传媒� my daughter is two years old SA国际影视传媒� and ISA国际影视传媒檝e always felt obligated to the community because it changed my life.SA国际影视传媒�

Stanley moved to the NWT in 2010 with, in his words, SA国际影视传媒渂asically nothingSA国际影视传媒�. He opened up the original gym location on Old Airport Road before moving to the current location on 54 Avenue.

He said one of the big reasons heSA国际影视传媒檚 jumped in has to do with serving the public.

SA国际影视传媒淎t the end of the day, I see a lot of politicians who have the impression that they govern the people instead of governing for the people,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淎s someone who came to the community with nothing and who has been able to build their life and have that community support, I just want to give back.SA国际影视传媒�

Stanley said heSA国际影视传媒檚 spent the last year talking with groups and residents about his intentions and getting their thoughts on certain topics, which has helped form some of what his campaign will be all about.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not someone who will take things lightly SA国际影视传媒� if ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to get involved, ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to do the research, take the time and find an answer,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the opinion of the people that matters at the end of the day.SA国际影视传媒�

Why did Stanley choose Frame Lake?

SA国际影视传媒淚 still have a lot of friends who live there,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the people who asked me to run lives in Frame Lake and I feel a bond with people who live there.SA国际影视传媒�

One area of the riding Stanley said he plans to focus on is Northlands; the entire park is located within the consituency boundaries. He thinks a lot of residents in Northlands werenSA国际影视传媒檛 inspired to vote in the last election in 2019 and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 one place he wants to engage.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone talks about the cost of living and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 always an issue, no matter who you talk to,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淗ousing is another big one. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to encourage people to come and live and work in the territory, especially with issued in health care staffing. But we canSA国际影视传媒檛 provide people with the basics right now. Child care is another one SA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檝e spoken with day home owners who are thinking about closing it down and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 with them having a waitlist of around 50 people.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople canSA国际影视传媒檛 get child care and if you canSA国际影视传媒檛 someone to take care of your kids, you canSA国际影视传媒檛 work. If you canSA国际影视传媒檛 work, whatSA国际影视传媒檚 the point in coming here? You canSA国际影视传媒檛 get child care, you canSA国际影视传媒檛 find a place to live and if you do, itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be expensive. Those are all intertwined and we have to find a way to fix all of that.SA国际影视传媒�

Stanley knows itSA国际影视传媒檚 still early and no one is thinking about the election in October, but he said he just wants people to know heSA国际影视传媒檚 in the mix.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 up to the people who they want to speak for them,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 can only promise that ISA国际影视传媒檒l do my best if ISA国际影视传媒檓 elected, I do have a lot of life experience and weSA国际影视传媒檒l see how it goes.SA国际影视传媒�