Here who's running for Whitehorse city council

The Whitehorse municipal election promises to bring a significant shake-up to city council chambers. 

Current Mayor Laura Cabott has already announced she won't run again, and just one councillor — Dan Boyd — is seeking re-election to council. Sitting Coun. Kirk Cameron is throwing his hat in the ring for mayor. 

In the meantime, 17 new candidates have stepped forward to vie for one of six councillor seats along with Boyd. CBC Yukon asked them to briefly summarize in their own words why they're running and what their priorities are.

Aside from those listed here, Andrew Robulack and Nesty Paron are also running for council seats.

The municipal election is set to take place Oct. 17.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Some submissions have been edited for length and clarity. 

Jean-Sébastien Blais

Occupation: Director of Corporate Services,Government of Canada
Top priorities: Safety, adapting our infrastructure to climate changes, having excellent finances

Following my master's degree in political science, I moved with my wife to Whitehorse in 2009. I have volunteered in many organizations and participated in the governance of many boards including the Human Rights Commission and the Commission Scolaire Francophone du Yukon. I am a proud francophone driven by a commitment to make my community a better place.

If elected, I will focus my attention on increasing the safety on our roads and trails as we have a growing volume or users to accommodate. I also want to increase the safety in our neighbourhoods and downtown for both residents and businesses.

As our city grows, I recognize the need for developing the appropriate infrastructures to support Whitehorse's development. I will work to ensure that the city has the budget in place to finance and implement the projects and programs that fit the council's mandate and jurisdiction. I believe in the importance of fulfilling the council's obligations with regards to recycling and taking actions within its jurisdiction.

All of that can be done, in my opinion, from excellent relationship with governmental partners, including the Yukon government, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, and Ta'an Kwäch'än Council.

Dan Boyd

Occupation: Retired
Top priorities: Infrastructure upgrades, housing, community safety

I was born and raised in Whitehorse. Married with three adult children and five grandchildren. I spent my early career in the construction industry as a journeyman carpenter. I joined the Yukon Housing Corporation in 1998. In 2002, I moved to the Department of Community Services as assistant deputy minister before retiring in 2014. I am currently serving my fifth term as a Whitehorse City Councillor.

The city has huge financial pressures, with no viable way to raise the money needed to meet the demands. Examples include Robert Service Way upgrades, renovations and repairs to the Canada Games Centre and road improvements in Whistle Bend. A new fire hall in Whistle Bend has to be built, equipped and staffed.

The city needs to focus on improving the supply and cost of housing. The rental market supply is at an all-time low, while costs are at an all-time high. The supply of new housing has been challenging this building season, due to difficulties in obtaining building permits. 

The increase in property crime in parts of the community is alarming. We must find ways to improve this situation. Solutions have to include input and participation from all concerned including governments, businesses and residents.

Norma Felker

I would like to see less political influence on council.

The issues that municipal councils deal with are close to home and impact daily life for residents and visitors. I hope the incoming council will focus on those issues and leave the broader ones to senior governments.

I worked in the council support department at the city for 30-plus years and have a strong understanding of what is required to do a good job as a member of council and an advocate for the city. 

I love this city and believe that serving as a councillor is a way to contribute to ensuring that Whitehorse continues to be a great place to live, work and play.

Paolo Gallina

Occupation: Marketing and sponsorship manager for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games
Top priorities: Citizen safety, infrastructure and fiscal management

On October 17, I'm asking for your vote on Whitehorse City Council. Our city is growing rapidly creating additional stress and pressure in our daily lives and I'm prepared to stand up for the needs of all citizens. 

I'm a dedicated and experienced leader who will prioritize community wellness, smart development, and strong fiscal management. With a commitment to collaborative governance and enhancing the quality of life in Whitehorse, I will work to ensure safety, sustainability, and prosperity for all residents. 

I'm confident my deep connection to the community, focus on practical solutions and ability to drive progress in a good way will make me an effective councillor — an elected official people will be proud of." 

Jenny Hamilton

Occupation: Arts administrator, red seal automotive mechanic, stand-up comedian.
Top priorities: Collaboration, efficiency and community inclusivity

I've spent my life in Whitehorse, from working in the trades to the arts to performing comedy across Canada and internationally. Through my work and experiences, I've always been a problem-solver who believes in practical solutions and long-term thinking. My priority is making sure Whitehorse operates efficiently and inclusively. I want to use my experience in collectives and advocacy to push for a more collaborative approach to governance, where we listen to the community and make decisions that last. If elected, I will focus on fostering inclusivity, addressing safety, and ensuring our infrastructure supports future growth.

Hamilton is running as part of the "Together Whitehorse" slate.

Tony Lundgaard

Top priorities: Housing, local business development, green energy

I'm a 26 year old Yukoner trying my hand at politics. I want to fix housing by moving the city to a land use efficiency tax where your tax rate is based on the number of units in your area. Another way I want to do this is by tying the amount of short term rentals in the city to the new construction of the year prior and use the money to fund the construction of new housing. I want to make landlords pay a fee whenever they raise rents, and use the money to construct more housing.

I want the city to build a public market to support local businesses to encourage people to buy local. I want to make it mandatory for parking lots above a certain size to have canopy solar and buildings above a certain square footage have rooftop solar. Because I always found it really dumb that we bulldoze large parts of forest to do the same thing. The last thing I want is at home battery banks which store green energy and can be scaled to how much we produce at a lower cost over large systems. I hope a new generation brings new ideas.

Eileen Melnychuk

Occupation: Executive director of the NGO HUB Society.
Top priorities: Affordable housing, aging infrastructure, and meaningful citizen engagement.

A long-term Whitehorse resident, I've always been passionate about improving our city. In 2021, I was recognized by the Yukon Legislature as one of the 'Women Influencing Change' for my leadership as president of the Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre.

I believe that Whitehorse needs to operate with a strategic vision while preserving its community spirit. To address rising crime, one solution I'm proposing is to establish a Downtown Business Advisory Council, a model that operated between 2011-2014, which offered businesses, NGOs and government a forum to focus on issues and create community-made solutions.

I'm committed to working with stakeholders including the Yukon government, First Nations, and private partners to tackle the housing crisis and promote sustainable urban development. If elected, I plan to strengthen collaboration between the city and its residents, ensuring that every voice is heard in shaping Whitehorse's future. My vision
is rooted in practical, community-focused solutions that bring people together for the common good.

Anne Middler

Occupation: Entrepreneur
Top priorities: Community safety, smart spending, safe active transportation infrastructure

My vision for Whitehorse: We have walkable neighbourhoods and vibrant centres with businesses, services, schools, parks, gardens and greenhouses. When people want to move between neighbourhoods, they have options of efficient and convenient public transit, sensible road infrastructure, and a connected and maintained active transportation network — so that everyone feels confident and safe getting around the Wilderness City.

We embrace winter and ensure accessibility for people with mobility challenges, and enhance access to recreation opportunities so people feel happy, healthy, and connected to nature and each other. The downtown is vibrant with diverse housing options, unique businesses, and arts, culture, education and recreation activities in public spaces to build community. People in crisis have available strong supports to choose a healthy path to healing. The city has productive working relationships to identify shared priorities and allocate limited resources strategically.

I am a business owner and compassionate active resident of downtown. I am engaged and an independent thinker who asks questions. My wealth of experience makes me an asset to a team tasked with making tough decisions and implementing plans with financial constraints. The city must manage growth wisely to ensure everything we need and love is conserved and improved.

Lenore Morris

Occupation: Lawyer
Top priorities: Housing and land use, active transportation and public transit

I hope to use the analytical and advocacy skills I have developed in my work, as well as the community connections and knowledge I have acquired during my 25 years in Whitehorse, to help our community grow and prosper.

I have extensive experience in the private, non-profit and public sectors, both professionally and as a volunteer.

If elected, my priorities will be:

• Increasing Whitehorse's housing stock, especially affordable housing, by reducing barriers to land development.
• Land use, in particular increasing density downtown and developing vacant prime land.
• Promoting active transportation through the creation of safe, practical commuting routes for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Making the city's public transit better to actually get drivers out of their cars.

Whitehorse is a special place and so of course it attracts newcomers. We are growing fast. I want to be involved in decisions that will guide that growth.

If elected, I will work with mayor and council to engage with and listen to our diverse community members, to help make decisions that affect the quality of life of all Whitehorse residents, in a fiscally responsible, needs-sensitive, evidence-guided way.

Sarah Newton

Top priorities: Underutilized properties, transit, community safety

Sustainability is my primary motivator for putting my name forward for city council. For me, that means that we develop enough housing for the people who want to live here. I look forward to building upon the work of the previous council on managing underutilized properties and vacant lots. I will work to strengthen and ensure enforcement so that we can make more land available for both housing and vibrant commercial developments. 

Sustainability also means having a public transit system that well serves our community. I have recently become a bus user myself and I am impressed with the recent changes. I would like to continue to build on that and encourage citizens to have more car-free days. To achieve this, I will collaborate with the business community to develop ways to support workers using transit. I would also work to find mechanisms to incentivize this, in partnership with the Yukon government. 

I also recognize that community safety is critical to ensure businesses can thrive in our downtown core. I am looking forward to working with our community to find solutions to this issue that include understanding and addressing underlying causes of crime."

Nesty Paron

Top priorities: Affordability, food security, environment. 

Projects for the city: 

• Ensure that the City of Whitehorse focuses on core municipal services to keep operating costs down, and tax and fee increases low
• Campaign for additional support, policy creation and strategy development for more accessible food products while supporting local businesses 
• Advance mitigation plans to address environmental practices in the community and collaborate with local consultants to ensure continued safety
• Incentivize building diverse housing which will enable residents the option to rent or own
• As a first-hand user of public transportation, it is in my realm of priorities to ensure that transit remains safe, reliable, and accustomed to the needs of our most vulnerable road users

Marta Rogers

I am a licensed red seal journeyman hairstylist who is investing time in raising my children. A part of that investment is taking the time to work toward a safer city and a sustainable future.

At the age of 12, I was assaulted downtown while walking with my friends after a movie. Blood flowing from my face, I remember the yellow hoodie my friend gave me to stop the blood. It took years for me to go downtown without my parents. I had gone to the RCMP and was met with 'we're too busy for that.' I have yet to have faith they would come if I call.

We have businesses struggling to survive due to theft and not having the rights to protect themselves. I see so many fellow community members struggling to survive as we have isolated ourselves in fear of simply saying the wrong thing. We need to acknowledge the dysfunction, move toward healing, understand our voices have an impact and the steps we make individually matter on a greater scale.

I aim to take the steps necessary to collaborate on many levels to have Whitehorse become the city we all deserve to live and thrive in.

Ken Schick

Occupation: Fleet manager at Metro Chrysler

I moved to Whitehorse in August 1980 as a 22 year old newlywed. Currently have a blended family of five (four living in Whitehorse) with six grandchildren.

I have significant volunteering experience. Acted as bowling executive starting in 1981, vice president of Softball Yukon from 1982 to 1984 while Takhini complex was under construction. I was a member of Kiwanis Club that built the concession building in the Takhini complex. I was an executive member of Whitehorse Duplicate Bridge Club 1993 through 2003. Started local YBC bowling program in 1994. I'm a member and current president of Lake Laberge Lions Club known for our trade show. Coached various minor sports from 1990 through 2006.

My goal is to bring an open mind to council and work with the mayor and other councillors on issues as they present themselves.

Daniel Schneider

Occupation: Cannabis store manager
Top priorities: Sustainable housing, self-reliance, pragmatic decision-making

As a lifelong Whitehorse resident, I've watched this city grow and face many challenges. My background as an autobody technician and now a cannabis store manager gives me a hands-on perspective of the issues we face. I'm running for city council because I believe in sustainable growth and the need for self-reliance. We need to make Whitehorse a city where housing is affordable and local businesses can thrive. I'm committed to making the tough decisions necessary to ensure long-term prosperity for our community. My focus is on sustainable housing, infrastructure, and practical solutions for the challenges we face.

Schneider is running as part of the "Together Whitehorse" slate.

Gary Smith

Occupation: Self-employed painter

I have no political experience in either territorial or municipal politics. However, if elected to city council, this is what I have to offer. I am a jeans and t-shirt type of person who wants to listen to everybody's suggestions be it good or bad.

Personally I would like to see our city tame its budget and focus more on things such as pothole solutions and better service for snow removal. I feel that our city could benefit from operating smaller, more economical buses — perhaps only using the larger diesel bases at peak times. Most importantly, I would like to see a more affordable solution to our recycling problem.

Michelle Stimson

Who am I? I'm a mom and relationship-building is ongoing personally and in the community. By meeting in town hall, open-house environments for serious discussion and debate is fundamental. 

Space held for community mini market including music as well. Instilling positivity. I would like to support and implement a coffee with counsellor program which puts folks at the shelter NGOs hospital workers service industry workers a chance to discuss their concerns. Boots to the ground if you will.

Safety looks like this to me, with my certificate in northern justice and criminology and policing and justice career orientation program perhaps the first discussion is who and how we want to feel protected and served in our community. Is it time to debate the RCMP versus city police security and stewards. 

Having covered bus hubs with electrical outlets could possibly increase usage and safety for environment and citizens. A public washroom. 

As a person who has built and owned a home to being a renter to being homeless gives me incredible insight to the housing issues. Accountability for the actual number of tenants in buildings needs to be public. We need the numbers.

Jay Wilneff

Occupation: Entrepreneur, business owner
Top priorities: Fiscal responsibility, community safety, infrastructure growth 

With over 20 years living and working in Whitehorse, I've helped start and grow four businesses, learning the value of hard work and fiscal responsibility. As a family man raising three children, I want Whitehorse to be a safe, thriving city for future generations. My focus is on ensuring smart investments in infrastructure and supporting local businesses while ensuring the city's budget is used responsibly. If elected, I will work toward practical, common-sense solutions that address our most pressing challenges — especially safety, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. Let's make Whitehorse a better place for families, businesses, and future growth.

Wilneff is running as part of the "Together Whitehorse" slate.