As a pilot, Tom McLennan says he has good situational awareness: SA国际影视传媒淏eing aware of where you are and where youSA国际影视传媒檙e going, whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening nextSA国际影视传媒�

Now, he says he wants to apply those same skills to the job of a Yellowknife city councillor: SA国际影视传媒淏eing aware of how different legislation interacts, and whatSA国际影视传媒檚 coming next, and being researched and understanding all those things, so that you know how to make changes and how those changes will affect other things.SA国际影视传媒�

He officially launched his bid for council on Thursday, Aug. 25 at Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 Civic Plaza. The following day, he released a statement outlining the main points of his campaign: opposition to the recent residential property tax hike; addressing the citySA国际影视传媒檚 housing crisis; climate change and food sustainability; infrastructure; and reconciliation with the citySA国际影视传媒檚 Indigenous population.

McLennan came to Yellowknife more than six years ago during his pilotSA国际影视传媒檚 training and never left. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e built a life here and ISA国际影视传媒檓 staying. I want all of my friends to stay, too,SA国际影视传媒� says McLennan, a Yellowknife resident of six years. SA国际影视传媒淭his is about putting my money where my mouth is and trying to make a difference so that can happenSA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檝e seen too many give up on (Yellowknife) because they couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 afford it, or couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 see themselves here for the long-term.SA国际影视传媒�

McLennanSA国际影视传媒檚 first political experience came from helping his cousin run for Toronto City Council. The spark that led to him running this time around was a public hearing about changes to YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 zoning bylaw in November. SA国际影视传媒淚 spoke at the public hearing and made some submissions to council and really liked the whole process,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淪o thatSA国际影视传媒檚 probably when I started seriously thinking about it.SA国际影视传媒�

McLennan says the municipal property tax hike in May, which saw residential property taxes rise by about nine per cent, was another major motivator. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e got a property tax hike pushing double digits alongside sky-high inflation the year before assessments, which will inevitably increase taxes more,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淲aiting and making changes at the appropriate time would have accomplished the same goals without shocking residents.SA国际影视传媒�

With regards to housing, McLennan praises the citySA国际影视传媒檚 new zoning bylaw, adopted in March. He says it will open the door to more affordable housing.

SA国际影视传媒淭he city must use this new tool to incentivize the lower-cost, well-built housing we need,SA国际影视传媒� he says.

McLennan also wants Yellowknife to become more independent in producing its own food.

SA国际影视传媒淲e need to expand our capacity to grow food here and reduce our reliance on southern imports,SA国际影视传媒� he says.

In the spirit of promoting reconciliation with YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Indigenous community, McLennan says he would like to strengthen the citySA国际影视传媒檚 relationship with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and SA国际影视传媒渦se local government as a tool to advance reconciliation.SA国际影视传媒�

In addition to his job as a pilot, McLennan is an amateur photographer and carpenter.

With the election on the horizon, McLennan says he has a lot of door-knocking to do in the near future: SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檒l be a big one, trying to talk to as many different people as I can all over the city. And ISA国际影视传媒檒l be planning to be at a grocery stores or Walmart on Sundays, sort of just sitting outside and seeing who comes by and wants to chat.SA国际影视传媒�

The municipal election takes place on Monday, Oct. 17.