With the federal elections only a few days away, people across the city of Yellowknife are abuzz with expectations for the direction the territories and the country will take as leadership shifts.
The people who stopped to talk with True North FM talked about feeling hopeful for change but also anticipating a hard road ahead.
“I think it’s gonna be a tough battle,” said one Yellowknifer, referring not only to the elections race but the challenges people across the territories and country face.
“I think what I am looking for is just a leadership that will gonna help us reshape our economy and be able to face the danger of the economic challenges ahead of us with what’s happening,” Awa told True North FM.
Awa pointed out that leadership will have to be able to “unite Canadians socially and economically” in the face of the “crisis we are facing” with things like hefty tariffs from the U.S.
Housing and immigration are important issues for everyone living in Yellowknife, explained Awa.
“We want to welcome more people to help straighten our economy, but we want to make sure that people have a place to live, a place to be able to express their full potential right and help us all grow and benefit from it,” she emphasized.
Omar was out and about in Yellowknife this week getting some errands done in the city. He told True North FM that this is the first Canadian federal election for him. Omar shared the excitement of preparing to cast his ballot at Canada’s 45th federal election.
Omar said that his “first” priority for his first election as a Canadian citizen embracing humanitarian values, which he says is something very “Canadian.”
One area of concern is foreign policy regarding conflicts around the world.
“I understand that Canada is a leader in humanitarian relief and humanitarian aid, but also what concerns me is leadership regarding economic (inequality) and how they feel that inclusion of others can be (happen) so we can have a better economy,” he said.
“Given the challenges that we’re having with the US, and not having other trade partners and having other challenges regarding how to manage the economy. I believe that this is also a priority,” he added.
Omar said that it would be helpful to hear more information about how the candidates plan to achieve their goals. “Communicating exactly what is to be done rather than just saying that ‘I will save Canada – how will you save it? What’s your plan? How will you make sure that the inclusion of the Canadians (happens)?”
Omar said it’s all about finding a “balance between” how we can “salvage Canada” and how we can make Canada ‘great again’
Omar said that he feels Canada’s “greatness” is different from what Americans might say is “great” about their country, in that Canada’s greatness is rooted in multiculturalism.
“If you read through history, you’ll find that all the great civilizations the countries and nations are actually built on the fusion of (different groups) there. So I believe that Canada has lots of potential.”
Omar said he sees this aspect of the Canadian experience as a valuable resource that leaders should be aware of and make the most of.
Irene was just watching some election coverage at her home in Yellowknife. She told True North FM that as an Indigenous person, she wants to vote for someone who understands Indigenous issues
Irene said she is worried about the cost of living, including the cost of housing, and the job market.
Irene emphasized that she believes in offering rehabilitation to anyone who is facing addiction.
A major issue Irene expressed concern about is addictions and making sure that people facing addictions have access to treatment and recovery.
She said that right now there is a problem in the system. What she has seen is that many who complete recovery programs do not have access to support afterwards and that makes them vulnerable to falling through the cracks.
“Some people who go to treatment centres, and come back, they have nothing open for them,” said Irene.
“You have to give those people a chance,” she urged. “These are the kinds of things you want to see. Because right now we’re seeing a lot of youth going through things that are just chaos. (We wonder) are things getting better or are things getting worse?”
“I think it’s gonna be a tough battle,” she said.
