The Race is On! Five NWT Communities Head to the Polls on October 21st

Top Row (L-R): Inuvik Mayor Clarence Wood, Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson, Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly.

Bottom Row L-R: Norman Wells Mayor Frank Pope, Fort Smith Mayor Fred Daniels

The municipal election season is in full swing in the Northwest Territories, with five communities set to cast their votes on October 21st. Residents in the Village of Fort Simpson and the Towns of Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, and Norman Wells will elect new councils to guide their respective communities for the next three years.

As of publication, all five incumbent mayors have confirmed their candidacies for re-election. In Inuvik, Mayor Clarence Wood is seeking another term, while Norman Wells’ Mayor Frank Pope is hoping to continue his leadership. Both were acclaimed in 2021 but will face challengers this time around, marking a shift from the uncontested races of the last municipal elections.

In Hay River, Mayor Kandis Jameson stands unopposed for the second consecutive election. After leading the town since 2018, Jameson will be acclaimed to another term, maintaining her hold on the mayor’s chair without opposition.

Fort Smith is preparing for a competitive election, where incumbent Mayor Fred Daniels is defending his seat against Councillor Dana Ferguson. This contest is expected to draw significant attention in the community.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, the Village of Fort Simpson released its official list of candidates on its website. Unlike the other communities, Fort Simpson will not head to the polls to elect new municipal councillors, as all council candidates have been acclaimed. Incumbents Troy Bellafontaine, James Tsetso, Kathy Tsetso, and Muaz Hassan will be returning to their council seats. Councillors Cindy Browning, Stephanie Hardisty, and Liza McPherson have opted to leave municipal politics.

The new council members joining the Fort Smith Council are Eliza Jane Chalifoux, Richenda Cli, Amy Fraser, and Renalyn Pascua-Matte. Although with council is already settled, the mayoral race remains in play, with incumbent Mayor Sean Whelly seeking to defend his seat against challenger and sitting Councillor Leslie Wright.

In Fort Smith, Councillors Leonard Tuckey, Kevin Campbell, Louise Beaulieu, and Mike Couvrette are all seeking re-election. However, incumbents Dianna Korol and Ann Pichinger have decided not to run. A total of 12 candidates will be vying for seven council seats, signalling a spirited contest.

Over in Hay River, six current councillors—Keith Dohey, Karen Wall, Linda Duford, Jeff Groenewegen, Robert Bouchard, and Brian Willows—are all running again, while Councillor Emily Chambers has opted not to return. The competition for the seven council seats remains intense, with 11 candidates in the running.

In Inuvik, incumbents Whitney Alexis, Ned Day, Tony Devlin, Jesse Jarder, Alana Mero, and Kurt Wainman are aiming for another term on the town council. However, Deputy Mayor Natasha Kulikowski and Councillor Grant Gowans have decided to step down. With 16 candidates competing for eight council seats, the race in Inuvik promises to be one of the tightest in the territory.

Finally, in Norman Wells, only two incumbent councillors—Alexis Peachey and Trevor Smith—are seeking re-election, alongside Mayor Frank Pope. Councillors Kacee Hunter, Kelly McCoy, and Dave Wever are stepping away from public office. Seven candidates have declared their candidacy for five available council seats, setting the stage for a competitive race.

Editorial Note: This story has been updated with Fort Smith candidates