N.W.T. federal candidates make their bids at CBC election forum in Yellowknife
Four candidates debated issues in run for territory's lone seat in Ottawa
Federal election candidates debated issues affecting residents of the Northwest Territories at an election forum on Tuesday evening hosted by CBC's Hilary Bird. The live broadcast began at 6:30 p.m. MT.
NDP candidate Kelvin Kotchilea, Conservative candidate Kimberly Fairman, Liberal candidate Rebecca Alty, and Green Party candidate Angela Davidson all participated in the forum, which took place at CBC in Yellowknife.
The candidates
Kelvin Kotchilea - NDP
Kotchilea has worked for the territorial government for 14 years, most of which has been spent with the Department of Environment and Climate Change. In 2021 he ran with the NDP for the seat and narrowly lost to Liberal MP Michael McLeod.
In an interview with CBC News, Kotchilea said key issues for him include the cost of living, infrastructure like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, clean energy, housing and reconciliation.
"It's kind of sad to see that in 2025, we just don't have the infrastructure, the capacity to provide the necessary services that are very important to the North," he said.
Kotchilea is a Tłı̨chǫ citizen, who grew up in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., and lives in Yellowknife.
Kimberly Fairman - Conservative Party
Fairman's stated goals are to cut taxes in a variety of areas, to protect hunters, and support local businesses.
She has also stated that she will "free up land and cut building taxes to make home-ownership a possibility."
Prior to announcing her candidacy, she worked as the executive director of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research. She also has experience working for the territorial government, including as the director of mental health and addictions at the N.W.T. Department of Health and Social Services.
On social media she has said that she's been hearing from people who are worried about the cost of living, and the financial impact of upcoming mine closures.
Fairman is Inuk and grew up in Yellowknife, where she still lives.
Rebecca Alty - Liberal Party
Rebecca Alty is in her second term as mayor of Yellowknife, and prior to that she served two terms as a city councillor.
Her other work background includes positions with the territorial government, Diavik diamond mine and non-profits.
In an interview with CBC News, Alty said she made the decision to run for federal politics because she wants to deal with the community issues she handled as Yellowknife's mayor — but at the national level. Her key issues are infrastructure, economic development, housing, reconciliation and mental health and addictions.
Angela Davidson - Green Party
Davidson, also known as Rainbow Eyes, is the Green Party deputy leader and was a prominent figure in protests against old-growth logging in Ada'itsx (Fairy Creek) in British Columbia.
She has said that if elected, her top goal would be to foster unity and create inclusion for people who have previously felt excluded by party politics. She also wants to increase the supply of affordable housing in the territory and to advocate for more greenhouses in remote communities to increase local agriculture.
Davidson decided to run for a northern riding after a trip to Whitehorse, during which she felt a connection to the north.
Davidson grew up in Calgary, and lived in Alberta until she moved to B.C. in 2019, where she currently lives. Davidson said she has never been to the Northwest Territories. She said she is planning to visit Yellowknife during her campaign but has no plans to visit any other N.W.T. communities.