Canada/Yukon municipal elections: results from rural communities
The people have voted, the votes have been counted, and municipal elections are now bringing a wind of change to many municipalities across the Yukon, where many new faces will be entering municipal council.
Dawson
In Dawson City, the second largest city in the territory, incumbent mayor Bill Kendrick was defeated by 25 votes, leaving Stephen Johnson to become the next mayor. The race was very close throughout the evening.
Among his priorities are childcare needs for the municipality's residents and infrastructure requirements, particularly for the construction of new housing, a challenge Dawson has long faced.
I'd like to focus on that, looking at places within the city limits and just outside where we could find solutions to create new land that people could buy and build on to take advantage of Dawson's energy," says Stephen Johnson.
In a publication, Bill Kendrick thanks the residents of Dawson: "It has been a privilege to serve as mayor for the past three years, and as alderman for the past 12.
The new council will consist of Cud Eastbound, Justine Hobbs, Darwyn Lynn and Tobias Graf.
Watson Lake
In Watson Lake, Councillor Lauren Hanchar won the mayoral election with just over 83% of the vote, while her opponent, Robert Ellis, came away with around 16%.
I feel very good, obviously very happy to have been successful in this election, although I'm a little surprised by the results regarding the city council, but very happy to continue," she said Thursday evening, moments after her election was confirmed.
Her surprise came from the defeat of incumbent mayor Chris Irvin, who had hoped to win a seat on city council. Instead, Thomas Slager, Norma Puckett, William Whimp and Denina Paquette will form the new municipal council.
Lauren Hanchar will also remain president of the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC), a position that is conditional on her election to a municipal council.
Haines Junction
In Haines Junction, Michael Riseborough, who has served as mayor in the past, was elected to succeed Bruce Tomlin, with a total of 147 votes (51%). He defeated city councillor Angie Charlebois (28%) and Brian Melanson (20%).
Councillor Diane Strand was re-elected and will sit with Deborah Busche, Sydney Mackinnon and Rob McPhie.
A draw was necessary to determine whether Thomas Eckervogt or Robert McPhie would win a seat on the town council, as they tied. In the end, it was the latter who would hold the post for the next four years.
Carmacks
Councillor Justin Lachance was elected mayor of Carmacks, a municipality of nearly 600 inhabitants, two hours north of Whitehorse. He will be joined on council by Doris Hansen, Dennis Mitchell, Cory Bellmore and Tara Wheeler.
Teslin
In Teslin, where incumbent mayor Gord Curran was elected by acclamation last week after his opponent withdrew, villagers will also be able to count on Robert Hasard, Luc Johnstone, Juanita Kremer and Jeff Myke to represent them on the municipal council.
Mayo
In Mayo, incumbent mayor Trevor Ellis was also re-elected by acclamation, but Thursday's election resulted in the re-election of councillors Brent Chapman, Robert Hasard, Luc Johnstone, Juanita Kremer and Jeff Myke.The election also saw the re-election of Councillors Brent Chapman and Simeon Paschuk, as well as the addition of Chelsea Dolan and Brett Stauffer to the municipal council.
Faro
Finally in Faro, residents re-elected incumbent mayor Jack Bowers. He won his election by a margin of just 13 votes over his opponent, Lisa Snyder.
Four new councillors - Neil Yee, Michelle Vainio, Gary Jones and Wendy Mitchell-Larocque - will join the municipal council.
Municipal councils throughout the territory are now elected for a four-year term, whereas previous elections were held every three years.
Source: ici.radio-canada.ca
