The candidates: Hay River South

Election day in the Northwest Territories is Oct. 1, and CBC North is working to bring you all the information you need to cast your ballot. As candidates were announced, CBC provided each an opportunity to answer a questionnaire tackling a wide range of subjects, from their own qualifications to themes impacting their riding and the territory as a whole.

Read their responses below, presented in the order they were received by CBC.

• Wally Schumann
• Rocky Simpson

Some answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Wally Schumann

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Why did you decide to run for office?

I want to build on the work I have done with my community to get Hay River on the road to a more prosperous future. There is also a critical need to steer the Northwest Territories toward a brighter economic future in which every community can thrive. The 18th Legislative Assembly set some important groundwork to help make this happen.

I'd like to help keep the momentum going and work to make sure every one of us, and our future generations to come, can find success in the Northwest Territories

What previous experience would you bring to the role of MLA?

In both my community and the greater Northwest Territories, concerns about our economic future is top of mind for many people. My past experience as a business leader was invaluable to me in my dual role as MLA for Hay River South and cabinet minister in the last term, and will no doubt continue to benefit my community and the N.W.T., should I be re-elected on Oct.1.

In addition to founding the largest sign manufacturing business in the Northwest Territories, I advocated sustainable, community-driven economic opportunities as a director for the Hay River Chamber of Commerce, a member of the N.W.T. Chamber of Mines Aboriginal Participation Committee, and a Director for the N.W.T. Manufacturer's Association.

Furthermore, I believe a leader is only as strong as their ability to work with others and collaboration is crucial to success. I lived this in my two years as president of the Hay River Mtis Government Council, where I led a large-scale community consultation to develop a community wellness contribution funding agreement with the GNWT(Government of the Northwest Territories). It was also essential to my roles as MLA Hay River South and cabinet minister to help get Hay River and the greater Northwest Territories back on the road to prosperity.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

I see my accomplishments as MLA as community successes, because each one involved the voice and dedicated engagement of my constituents. I'm proud that Hay River is headed toward a more prosperous future, thanks in part to the GNWT's purchase of Marine Transportation Services, which helped keep the local transportation sector vibrant and dozens of jobs secure. We've also created more opportunities for health, economic success and dozens of local jobs by securing plans to build a new fish plant and a 48-bed long term care facility.

I'm also proud of a number of accomplishments that will set the Northwest Territories toward a brighter future, including crucial infrastructure projects such as plans for the Slave Geological Province Corridor and the completion of the Mackenzie Valley all-season highway, and a bilateral agreement with the federal government to secure nearly $760 million for infrastructure improvements.

These wins are multifaceted as they will help connect communities, create new local jobs, improve the skill set of our workforce, and make it easier for local businesses and people to find opportunities to prosper in the North.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the territory?

Right now, people across the Northwest Territories are wondering if their families and children will be able to find opportunities to thrive in the North. Whether that's finding meaningful employment, good health, or education needed for long-term success. There has never been a more critical time to make sure our territorial economy will flourish now and into the future.

The solution is two-fold.

We must address the immediate need to sustain a core part of our current economy and GDP by keeping our mines working as long as possible and ensuring reclamation efforts are driven locally. At the same time, we have to make strategic investments to sustain an economy our future generations can grow into.

Thismeans growing strong and diverse local economies across the territory and making sure northerners have opportunities to lead the charge on solutions for a greener future. It is absolutely critical for the 19th Legislative Assembly to make sure that every person in every community now and in the futurehas incredible opportunities to build healthy, prosperous lives in the North.

What is the biggest issue in your riding?

As a community, we've accomplished a lot over the last four years to set Hay River back on the road to prosperity. By working with constituents, the Town of Hay River, Indigenous leaders, and our territorial and federal partners, we have helped jumpstart the local economy with the GNWT's purchase of Marine Transportation Services, the launch of the MaritimeTraining Centre, plans for a new fish plant, a new 48-bed long-term care facility, and much more.

But our work has just begun. Just like people across the North, Hay River residents want to know that every one of us and our future generations can find health and success in the Northwest Territories. We've already laid some important groundwork to make this happen, and we have to keep the momentum going. This means creating more jobs and opportunities for local businesses through continued support to develop growth of the local transportation and fishing industries and working toward the re-opening of Pine Point mine.

If you could accomplish only one thing while in office, what would that be?

I want to help the Northwest Territories including Hay River to become a strong, united, and self-sustainable territory in which every person in every community can find opportunities for long-term health and success. A territory that is both in control of its future, and able to find success with the ever-changing demands of the economy and environment.

What would you like to see the territory do to address the impacts of climate change?

People across the Northwest Territories care about the future of the environment, but they also want to be able to keep the lights on and their houses warm.

Given my past role as cabinet minister in the last Assembly, I am confident the GNWT developed a strong climate change strategy focused on adaptation and mitigation with these concerns in mind. It will be important for the 19th Legislative Assembly to build on this work to ensure that living in the North is affordable as we move to a greener economy less dependent on fossil fuels. One way to do this is to make sure northern workers and businesses have opportunities to lead the charge in solutions to proactively combat climate change.

Protecting our environment also means working in partnership with Indigenous communities, particularly in the remote regions that are on the frontline of climate change. This collaboration is key to keeping our land healthy and prosperous for generations to come.

What would you change about how the government currently operates?

When it comes to building a brighter future for the Northwest Territories, everyone in every community can bring something to the table. I would like to see the GNWT continue its efforts to be more in tune with the voices of communities. The 18thAssemblytook important strides toward a more open government by holding open houses with the premier and cabinet members in regional centres across the North.

I would like to see the 19th Legislative Assembly build on this work and expand ways it can make itself more accessible to all communities in the Northwest Territories.

Given the tight fiscal reality of the next Assembly, collaboration will also be a critical part of making sure we're building a future that works for everyone. This means continuing to work in partnership with constituents, Indigenous groups, municipalities, the federal government and neighbouring territories and provinces to strengthen our ability to achieve common goals.

What do you think the GNWT must do to improve and protect the territory's economy?

To build a self-reliant, prosperous territory we need to empower our people, businesses and communities with ongoing opportunities to contribute to our evolving economy. This means working now to grow strong, diverse and sustainable local economies, giving northern businesses opportunities to lead the charge on climate change solutions, and promoting 'buy North, hire North' policies to keep more dollars in the territory.

As we work toward long-term sustainability, it will also be important to support staples of our present economy to keep the territory on an upward trajectory over the next decade. This includes keeping operating mines in production as long as possible, continuing to work on the Slave Geological Province Corridor including the Taltson Hydroelectricity Expansion Project, making sure northerners drive mine reclamation projects, and continuing core infrastructure projects to connect communities.

We already have the businesses and workforce that can perform much of this work. These opportunities will help keep northerners employed as we transition to a more diverse economy that keep the territory prosperous for generations to come.

What would you do as MLA to improve the GNWT's relationship with Indigenous people?

I think it's really important that we support our Indigenous leaders and help groups settle outstanding land claims and self-government agreements. It will also be important to continue the work the GNWT is currently doing to be more inclusive involve all residents in when it comes to decisions about the future of the Northwest Territories, and making our strategies to grow healthy, prosperous communities across the North work for everyone.

If elected, will you be seeking a cabinet position?

Yes.

Would you like to be premier?

If I have the honour of getting a second term as MLA for Hay River South, I would meet with the new members of the Legislative Assembly and learn about their issues and priorities before making a decision on whether I would consider putting my name forward as premier.

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Rocky Simpson

Why did you decide to run for office?

I decided to run for office because our local economy is struggling, and many residents are very concerned about the future of Hay River. If we focus on community's strengths and capitalize on opportunities in our region, we can mitigate many of the negative impacts that we are experiencing and create a solid economic foundation for our future generations.

Unfortunately, many people in Hay River feel that our current government has not taken these concerns seriously and has done little to address them. I am running because Hay River South needs a representative that is approachable, accessible and will listen to the concerns or all our residents while standing up for our community.

What previous experience would you bring to the role of MLA?

I believe that my business and political experience, along with my education, would be of great benefit to my work as an MLA.

My past roles as the president of the Hay River Mtis Local 51 and as a councillor and deputy mayor of the Town of Hay River have given me insight into the issues faced by Indigenous and municipal governments. One area that I feel is very important is my work assisting and promoting non-profits, as they provide a service that is so very important to our community.

For the past 16 years, I have owned and operated a Hay River-based business that has provided employment and training opportunities to hundreds of residents, so I am aware of the issues facing small businesses and their employees in the N.W.T. My work in the oil and gas industry and with electrical utilities has also made me familiar with challenges, concerns, and potential of our extractive and energy industries. As a practicing lawyer, I am familiar with many of the policies and pieces of legislation that govern our territory, and with the challenges that our residents often face when dealing with the legal system.

After completing my elementary and secondary schooling in Hay River, I earned a diploma in petroleum engineering technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, degrees in business and computer science in the United States, and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. In addition to providing me with technical knowledge, this education has provided me the skills to research and analyze any topic from a variety of viewpoints. Given the vast and diverse nature of information that MLAs must be familiar with, I believe these would be invaluable skills.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Raising a family that understands the importance of helping others in need and showing respect to all.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the territory?

The N.W.T.'s faltering economy is the biggest issue facing our territory.

What is the biggest issue in your riding?

While there is much concern about Hay River's current and future economic situation, the biggest issue affecting many residents daily is the state of our healthcare system and our community's lack of doctors.

If you could accomplish only one thing while in office, what would that be?

If I could accomplish only one thing for Hay River while in office, it would be to ensure that our community recruit and retain an adequate number of doctors and that residents receive timely access to quality medical care.

What would you like to see the territory do to address the impacts of climate change?

Participate in action-oriented solutions to immediately address the problems. We need community, government and industry buy in to be effective. Although the issue is global, we can continue to do our part to minimize the impact.

What would you change about how the government currently operates?

The government needs a renewed focus on respect. There must be greater respect shown in the legislative assembly so that the voices of those elected to represent residents from across the territory can be heard. There must be greater respect shown to the public service.

We have many qualified people employed by the government and these people must be respected by and have the support of their leaders if they are to do their jobs effectively. Finally, the GNWT needs to understand that is serves the residents of the N.W.T. The politicians in charge of the government need to listen to and be accountable to the residents and need to ensure that they apply fairness in all aspects of the decision-making process.

What do you think the GNWT must do to improve and protect the territory's economy?

The GNWT must do a better job working with and supporting Indigenous governments with the goal of completing claims and self-government processes. This will provide certainty and clarity that will help attract new investment to the N.W.T. and help local businesses grow.

We must continue to promote and look to improve our returns on our renewable and non-renewable resource industries and must be done in ways that minimize damage to our environment. We must also put greater efforts into diversifying our economy so that we can be better prepared for slowdowns in the mining and oil and gas sectors. This can be done by making better use of legislation and policies, such as the Business Incentive Policy, to ensure that businesses that have a real presence in the N.W.T. are able to grow, provide sustainable employment to locals, and contribute to the territorial economy.

What would you do as MLA to improve the GNWT's relationship with Indigenous people?

The GNWT needs to recognize that the Indigenous peoples have constitutionally entrenched rights that must be fully recognized and supported. It is through the recognition of these rights and working for a common goal that the North will become stronger politically, economically, and socially.

If elected, will you be seeking a cabinet position?

I would be very interested but need to work at being elected first.

Would you like to be premier?

No if elected, a decision as to who I would support would be made through discussion with potential candidates and the residents of Hay River.