Jan Vallillee is the third person expected to run for office in the Yellowknife North district, joining incumbent Cory Vanthuyne and Rylund Johnson.
Vallillee announced her intention to run for MLA on Monday morning, saying: “I have resolved others’ issues for over 20 years and bring vast and varied experience to the table.”
Vallillee said she is celebrating her 50th year in Yellowknife and has worked for more than 30 years in the public service, including two decades in IT at Stanton Territorial Hospital.
“I’ve dedicated a significant part of my life volunteering and serving non-government organizations within our community by volunteering over 10,000 hours and have raised well over $250,000,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
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In full: Who’s expected to run, and where
“I have proven my commitment to our community and the North. I have represented Yellowknife, the NWT, and Canada on the world stage, having done so with dignity and honour.”
Vallillee said the NWT needs “experienced leadership with a proven track record.” A platform posted to her campaign website advocates – among other initiatives – for improved on-the-land recovery programming, streamlined mineral exploration processes, work to increase immigration levels, incentives to enter the trades, new campgrounds, an urgent investment in more public housing, and more renewable energy rebates.
In a nod to her Yellowknife North district, a section of Vallillee’s platform deals with cabins and leases on the Ingraham Trail. Vallillee suggests long-term leases could be converted to titled land, while urging leaseholders must be held accountable to avoid “special treatment” for some who bend the rules.
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Vallillee is, by Cabin Radio’s count, the 17th woman to formally announce their planned candidacy for October’s territorial election – with several others expected to stand.
Should all of those so far declared go on to confirm their candidacy next week, when nominations open, the 2019 election would see the largest number of women running for office in the NWT’s history.
The 1999 NWT election, which saw 15 women put their names forward, had the largest number of female candidates to date. The 1991 election, in which 28 percent of candidates were female (11 out of 40), saw the largest proportion of women running as a percentage of all candidates.
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.
