Candidates announced for 6 N.W.T. municipal elections

The lists of municipal election candidates have been set for six N.W.T. communities, after a deadline for filing nomination papers passed Monday afternoon.

Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Norman Wells and Fort Simpson will choose mayors and councillors Oct. 19 the same day as the federal election.

In Yellowknife, the territory's capital, accountantJohn Himmelmanhasfiled papers to challenge incumbentMark Heyckin the race for mayor, and there are 15candidates for eight seats on city council.The City of Yellowknife has published a full list of candidates on its website.

Ten candidates will stand for election as school trustees for Yellowknife's Education District No. 1, while nine trustee candidates have been confirmed for Yellowknife Catholic Schools. YK1 tweeted the final list of candidates for both districts each have space for seven trustees Monday afternoon.

Race on for mayor in Hay River, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Inuvik

In addition to Yellowknife, at least three Northwest Territories communities will see a mayoral race, as challengers have been confirmed in Hay River, Inuvik, and Fort Simpson.

Councillor Bradley Mapes will challenge incumbent mayor Andrew Cassidy in the community of Hay River. According to a press release issued by the Town of Hay River, eight nominations have been processed for eight seats on town council. Seven incumbent councillors the entire current council,excluding Mapesand newcomer Steve Anderson will all be acclaimed to positions once their nominations are made final.

Seven nominations have been processed for the community's district education authority, which has seven seats.

• On mobile? See the full list of nominations for mayor, council, and district education authority forHay River

According to Fort Simpson's returning officer, the community is gearing up for a crowded race.Nineteen people have put their names forward for eight council seats, and 13 nominations have been processed for six seats on the community's district education authority, a number Fort Simpson's returning officer says is "one of the highest ever."

Three candidates have been confirmed for mayor of Fort Simpson: incumbentSeanWhellywill face challenges fromDarleneSibbestonand JohnDempsey.

• View the full list of nominations for mayor, council, and district education authority forFort Simpson

Fort Smith will also see a crowded field for mayor and council. Incumbent mayor Brad Brake will be challenged by Lynn Napier-Buckley, a current town councillor, as well as Don Matthews. Thirteen candidates have also been confirmed for eight seats on Fort Smith's town council.

• View the full list of nominations for mayor andcouncilforFort Smith

In Inuvik, deputy mayor Jim McDonald and councillor Derek Lindsay will contest the mayor's chair, which was vacated by Floyd Roland after he was confirmed as the Conservative candidate in the 2015 federal election. Twelve candidates have also been confirmed in Inuvik for eight town council positions.

Only six nominations have been received for seven positions onInuvik'sdistrict education authority. The Town has extended the nomination period until 3:00 p.m. on Sept.28 to allow additional time for nominations.

• View the full list of nominations for mayor, council, and district education authority for Inuvik

Norman Wells sees mayor swap seats with councillor

The Town of Norman Wells received just enough nominations to fill itsmayor's chair and six seats on council, and if their nominations aren't contested within the next 72 hours, all the candidates will be acclaimed.

Current mayor Gregor Herald McGregor has entered his name as a council candidate, while Nathan Watson, who is currently a councillor, will become the town's mayor.

Seven people have been nominated for six positions in Norman Wells' district education authority.

• View the full list of nominationsfor mayor, council, and district education authority for NormanWells

Residents have 72 hoursfrom the filing deadlinein each community to contest nominations for mayor, council and district education authority before they are finalized, while candidates have 48 hours to withdraw their names, if they choose to do so.