Cherish Winsor becomes fifth prospective candidate in Kam Lake

Cherish Winsor, a single mother of five, is the fifth name in the running to become Yellowknife district Kam Lake’s next MLA.

Winsor announced on Tuesday evening her intention to run in the district. She is the current president of YWCA NWT and the Yellowknife Food Bank.

Entrepreneur Abdullah Al-Mahamud had announced his own planned run in Kam Lake earlier on Tuesday.

Incumbent Kieron Testart, former Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, and Caitlin Cleveland had already declared their intention to run.

In full: Who’s expected to run, and where?

“Through her work in public service and mining, Cherish understands the economic value of the resource sector for the future of our territory and believes we must invest in this industry through strategic infrastructure, exploration, and innovative technologies,” read a news release issued on Winsor’s behalf.

“Cherish has been a social advocate for 15 years, working on the critical issues of housing, income and food security, mental health, and education.”

Winsor said she would, if elected, work to “establish economic opportunities for more residents while encouraging sustainable growth and providing solutions to the social issues undermining our community.”

She added: “I am a fierce supporter and advocate for the advancement of women in society. I believe we need more women at every table to meet that critical mass of real contributions and create a more balanced discourse.

“I am proud to be one of the first women ever to run in the riding of Kam Lake.”

Created as a district in 1999, Kam Lake has never had a female MLA – nor, until this year, even a female candidate. Cleveland and Winsor are both set to be confirmed as candidates in the district early next month, once the writ is issued and the election period begins.

If all five prospective candidates to so far declare are confirmed, the district will have its most crowded ballot to date.