Our economy is in trouble in the near future. We need to be thinking 5, 10, 20, 50 years out for projects that will stimulate our economy, control the cost of living and provide benefits for people of the Northwest Territories.

As past president of the N.W.T. Chamber of Commerce, I had to consider the entire territory when setting agendas and advocating for business. Working in Inuvik and Yellowknife, my commercial real estate career in the private sector helped to establish forward thinking.

As a public servant working in commercial real estate, future needs of GNWT (Government of the Northwest Territories) departments are forefront in planning for departments' real estate needs.

Being able to work with anyone.

The economy. It drives the cost of living and quality of life.

Cost of living. As mines are slated to close and costs continuing to increase, people are looking to relocate out of Range Lake, and Yellowknife.

Allow constituents to put more money in their pockets through controlling utility costs, tax rebates and other high northern costs.

Get communities off diesel fuel. Use what is in front of us to generate power. Whether it's natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar or a northern innovation, let's spend our money wisely to benefit people in the N.W.T.

Eliminate the silos. Departments tend to work in silos, and there needs to be more collaboration

Play the hand we're dealt. Natural resources are plentiful, Let's use them to invest in diversifying our economy.

People are our greatest resource and we have issues that could take generations to fix. Working with Indigenous governments through collaboration, we can get there.

Bring Indigenous partners to the table. Treat these relationships as partnerships. Everyone should succeed together.

I'm not considering anything beyond being elected and representing Range Lake at this point.

As above, my main focus now is addressing Range Lake constituents at this point.

My education, work and life experiences have provided me with a deep concern for people's well-being, love for the North, and commitment to getting the work done.

Throughout my term in the 18th Assembly, I have worked to address the concerns I have heard from residents and focused on expanding opportunities, strengthening supports and ensuring measurable outcomes and concrete actions. I want to continue making change, with the other elected members, in the true spirit and intention of consensus government. By working together and involving all stakeholders we will best serve the needs of residents and the North.

I am running again because I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to the work we have left to do.

My experience in the 18th Assembly provided me firsthand knowledge of the strengths and areas to work on within our consensus-style government. I will be able to build on this knowledge to continue making meaningful progress on the issues constituents are concerned about, and work toward making consensus government what it has the potential to be.

Holding seven portfolios over the last four years has also provided me with a strong understanding of the various government departments, including their programs and capacity needs.

I hold a degree in social work and spent over 20 years providing direct service and administering non-profit agencies. I have a strong background in accreditation and brought two non-profit agencies out of substantial debt through comprehensive, strategic planning based on best practices. As well, I have many years of financial and organizational management.

I believe my experience has provided me with a well rounded perspective on the needs of residents and the abilities of the territorial government.

During my term as MLA and cabinet minister, I was honoured to oversee many positive accomplishments, dynamic departments, and amazing employees.

If I have to pick one accomplishment out of the many, I would have to say making the decision to transform our post-secondary into a polytechnic university and bringing forward legislation to ensure quality programming for all post-secondary institutions working in the North.

We have been talking about a university in the N.W.T. for over a decade, and most people will acknowledge that education is the key to succeeding in life. We need to ensure that our youth and all students are provided the best educational opportunities possible.

Becoming a polytechnic university, which builds on the trades and employer needs, will assist in strengthening our economy, addressing climate change and providing northerners with the skills necessary to take advantage of the many positions forecasted to be available in the next decade.

I was proud to bring the concept forward and I would be honoured to be able to continue to the work I began to see an accredited polytechnic university actualized.

I think the biggest issue facing the territory is the economy. We need to make sure we support diversifying the economy, including opportunities for tourism, educational pursuits, mineral exploration and small businesses. Many things will need to be prioritized to address this concern including, working closely with all stakeholders, reviewing/restructuring of the current BIP (Business Incentive Policy) process, implementing the regulations for the Mineral Resources Act and settling land claims.

However, it will also be critical to strengthen our educational supports if we want to ensure that northerners have the skills to take advantage of the opportunities to come. I also believe that by placing a higher emphasis on education, we will also begin to truly address social issues rooted in poverty.

Strengthening the economy and cost of living continues to be a focus in the riding of Range Lake. Education and health have also been identified by many residents as concerns that need to be addressed.

The settling of outstanding land claims, which impacts the well-being of Indigenous people, land planning for municipalities, and investor confidence in the N.W.T.

I think we need to increase investment in sustainable, alternative energy sources and work with jurisdictions internationally to keep on top of best practices and emerging solutions. I also believe a polytechnic university could support made in the North research and solutions to address climate change impacts here in the North, while providing education and funding opportunities as well.

I believe that we can do better in our consensus style government. We are not party politics, yet it often feels in the house that we are working in opposition, instead of collaborating.

We can do better. For example, when I brought forward the concept for the polytechnic university, as well as the various legislation I was responsible for, I gave direction to my departments to work closely with the MLA standing committee.

This process took a bit more time, but it was rewarded with little resistance in the house when we came to approving each item. On Aug. 14, 2019, the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development stated as we reviewed Bill 48 that "first and foremost, I would like to thank the Minister and her department for their willingness to work with us. It was a pleasure working with them. "

These are the statements that I would like to see more often in our consensus government as we move forward.

I also believe we need to consult stakeholders on a more regular basis. Although I have over 20 years working with homeless and low income people, I knew that I did not have all the solutions when I was appointed as Minister for the NWT Housing Corporation. I began my term by bringing all the Yellowknife NGO's and people experiencing homelessness together to define concrete actions for our City.

This work was utilized by the City of Yellowknife to define their own 10-year plan. I also conducted a territory-wide survey to identify concrete actions which we used to define short, mid and long term actions, and this work guided my direction throughout my tenure as their minister. I believe that by working together, we will provide the best services we can for residents.

This question is addressed in my answer to question four.

As Indigenous people throughout Canada move toward self government, we must, as a territorial government, be willing to offer our support and provide any tools they request/require toward being successful in accomplishing this.

In my opinion, the bi-annual meeting held with the various Aboriginal governments and cabinet were not often enough, nor long enough. Building strong relationships takes time and we must be willing to dedicate the time required to build trust, hear concerns, and find common solutions.

The most important part in building relationships is to be able to truly hear the concerns of the other party and be willing to compromise to find common ground.

If elected, I will be putting my name forward for cabinet. I think my background and experience with the various portfolios I held in the 18th Assembly will be beneficial and I would be honoured to have the privilege to continue the work I have begun.

I have been asked by some MLA's to consider putting my name forward and I do have concerns with the amount of experience we are losing from our current cabinet.

I believe we will need a strong premier in the next assembly if we are going to address the critical issues we face and lead our census government to being the best it can be. However, I respect the voice of the people, and I will wait to see if I even get re-elected as MLA before making a final decision on that position.