2 candidates square off in Fort Smith, N.W.T., mayoral race

The upcoming mayoral election in Fort Smith, N.W.T.,will see a face-off between incumbent candidateFred Daniels and councillor Dana Ferguson, each bringing their own vision for the future of the town.

The race comes as Fort Smithfaces the ongoing aftermath of a wildfire evacuation and several upcoming infrastructure projects.

The nextmayor will also become one of the leaders of the newly-developed Thebacha Leadership Council and will help shape it. Five local governing bodies, including the Town of Fort Smith,formed the council in June with the commitment to work together.

Daniels sayshe is seeking re-election so he can keep working onessential infrastructure projects that he believes are crucial for the town's long-term success.

"Your water, your roads, your sewers, your garbage pickups the stuff that people really need," he said. "It's been overlooked too long, and it's gotten to the period where we need to do it now."

Daniels also named "overdue" projects such asexpanding the town's fire station and updating equipment for its volunteer firefighters as priorities.

"We need to bite the bullet and get them done," he said.

Danielswas elected mayor in 2021 and has served one term. He said that moving from working in the public service sector to becoming the mayor has been a learning experience for him. Daniels deferred to the deputy mayor in meetings several times during his term but said he is committed to improving.

"I've never been in this arena before," he said. "There are definitely areas I need to improve on, and I've been learning throughout the term."

Danielsrepresented the town at the signingof the memorandum of understanding to create theThebacha Leadership Council.

He said he's lived in the community his entire life and is passionate about itspeople.

"The community has always been good to me," he said. "And now it's my turn to pay back the community."

'I'm solution-based,' says Ferguson

Ferguson, who has served three years on council, says she wouldbring a hands-on leadership style to the mayor's job, with a willingness to step in and actively work on solutions for the community.

She cites her experience during last year's fire evacuation, whenshe stayed in the community and kept residents updated through daily videos and helpwherever needed.

"I'm definitely 'boots on the ground.' I jump in and ask, 'What can I do to make this better?' I'm solution-based, and I think that's what I bring to the table," Ferguson said.

Ferguson and her husband own and manage the Pelican Rapids Inn in Fort Smith. She saidshe has strong personal and professional support systems in place that would allow her to focus on the mayoral role.

Ferguson said she sees a lot of potential in Fort Smith's recreation and outdoor spaces and wants to make sure they are meeting the needs of the community.

Shehighlighted the localrec centre, which contains the library, gym, pool and curling rink, as a key resource that needs to be maintained and improved asneeded. She also named the arena, outdoor track, walking trails, skate park, and snowboard park as priorities, and said she wants to ensurefacilities and programs meet the needs of residents, including youth and seniors.

"I'm passionate about the things that I get involved with. I'm loyal to it, I'm focused, and I'm driven," she said.

Ferguson also voiced her support for the Thebacha Leadership Council, saying that it's an important partnership that is crucial for supporting the needs of residents.

Election day in Fort Smith is on Oct.21, with advance polling on Oct. 9. Along with the two mayoral candidates, there are 12 people running for six seats on council.