Dana Fergusson to run for mayor of Fort Smith

Town councillor Dana Fergusson says she will run for mayor of Fort Smith in this fall’s upcoming municipal election.

A rush of nominations is expected across Fort Smith, Hay River, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson and Inuvik in the coming days as all five communities prepare to go to the polls on October 21.

Nine hamlets will hold elections in December.

Although the prospect of running for mayor had been raised with her before, Fergusson said she was initially “holding back” because of her responsibilities looking after her business, the town’s Pelican Rapids Inn.

“I thought, no, that’s a pretty big role. I don’t know if I can take that on,” Fergusson told Cabin Radio on Friday.

“But I have managed to get some really great long-term employees who are just as committed to me doing this as they are, there. So it gives me the ability to actually take this on wholeheartedly.”

Fergusson said she has always been a community volunteer, first by taking part in Fort Smith minor hockey shortly after arriving in 2010, then by helping to restart the Thebacha Chamber of Commerce.

In 2018, Fergusson was a host society member for the Arctic Winter Games, which took place in Fort Smith and Hay River.

“I’ve been engaged in the community and that just led to politics,” she said.

Fergusson said her vision for the town is creating space for strong leadership. She said her aim is to address “things that need to get done” by identifying funding shortfalls and advocating for more NWT government support where needed.

Besides that, she plans to examine the issues of homelessness, public safety and food security.

Asked where the town can improve as it continues to recover from last year’s wildfires, Fergusson said staff retention is a big challenge.

“People are under a lot of pressure and stress, and probably have not recovered from that entirely,” she explained.

Fergusson feels her experience as a small business owner makes her a good fit.

“I am a down-to-earth person who hasn’t really been in the political ring for a while. I think that I come with no government work experience, meaning that I come with a different perspective,” she said.

“I’m a small business owner. I come with that kind of mentality, and I think that’s good.”

Whether the incumbent, Fred Daniels, will put his name forward for re-election is unclear. Cabin Radio could not reach him for comment prior to publication.

The final date to submit nominations for mayor or council is September 23.