Steve Norn intends to run in Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh

The first contender for the open Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh seat at this fall’s NWT election has stepped forward.

Steve Norn, from Fort Resolution, announced at this week’s Akaitcho Assembly in Łutselkʼe that he intends to run in the district.

Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh encompasses the communities of Ndilo, Dettah, Fort Resolution, and Łutselkʼe. It is the territory’s newest district, first contested in 2015 after the ridings of Tu Nedhe and Weledeh were merged.

The incumbent in the district, Tom Beaulieu, has already announced he will not seek re-election this fall.

NWT election 2019: List of who we expect to run so far

Norn, a federal employee and former RCMP officer who appeared on the CBC show Canada’s Smartest Person in 2016, told Cabin Radio: “I really want to target the younger voters. There is so much voter apathy out there.”

Norn is planning a large social media presence to help engage younger voters. He praised Elections NWT for its recent initiatives to drive up turnout, including the launch of online voting as an option.

“They’re changing a few things up, which is great,” he said.

Asked which issues he felt would resonate with voters in the four communities this fall, Norn mentioned the creation of Thaidene Nene park alongside continuing concerns about employment and housing – subjects often raised by Beaulieu in the legislature.

“Now that the diamond mines are coming to their closing cycle, I want to help our riding try to weather that storm,” said Norn.

Cabin Radio will feature extensive interviews with NWT election candidates beginning at the start of September, when nominations officially open. Bookmark our NWT Election 2019 homepage to follow our coverage.