Paul Betsina has announced he intends to run in the district of Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh in this fall’s NWT election.
Betsina, currently business development manager at the Det’on Cho Corporation, is set to be among at least three candidates in the district.
Incumbent Tom Beaulieu will not be among them. Beaulieu announced some months ago he will not seek re-election.
“I’ve come to a good spot in life where I believe I can make a positive impact for my people,” said Betsina, whose background is in welding, on Thursday.
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In full: Who’s expected to run, and where
“The three things I want to focus on are having healthy growth in our economy to see us through past the sunsetting diamond mines, as well as housing – when I go visit our communities, everywhere is desperately short of housing.
“The third one would be lands. I am deep-rooted into the land, being able to look after it and care for it.”
Betsina said being “raised by the whole community” – and his knowledge of the mining industry – has prepared him to represent his home community of Dettah as well as Ndilo, Fort Resolution, and Łutselkʼe, which together form the Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh district.
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Betsina was elected to council for Ndilo in 2011, he said, and re-elected in 2015.
Steve Norn and Nadine Delorme are the other publicly declared prospective candidates in the district to date, with at least one more candidate anticipated.
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.
