Enterprise, N.W.T. has four new councillors after resignations earlier this year

CBC
·2 min read
The mayor of Enterprise says the hamlet is the only community in the N.W.T. that doesn't have a school. She said they are working with the Department of Education to get one and plan to use the municipal office. (Emily Blake/CBC - image credit)
The mayor of Enterprise says the hamlet is the only community in the N.W.T. that doesn't have a school. She said they are working with the Department of Education to get one and plan to use the municipal office. (Emily Blake/CBC - image credit)

After getting off to a somewhat rocky start, the hamlet of Enterprise, N.W.T. has four new council members.

That brings the municipality back up to six after several of the hamlet's council walked away shortly after the municipal election in February.

Genevieve Clarke, Jim Dives, Dave Richards and Michael St. Amour were acclaimed to the hamlet council on Thursday after nominations closed on Monday.

Former mayor St. Amour lost his seat to Sandra McMaster in February, with 25 votes to McMaster's 29. That resulted in this byelection after four councillors resigned in protest — seemingly unwilling to work with their new mayor.

McMaster was not available for an interview when reached on Wednesday. The other acclaimed councillors did not respond to interview requests from CBC.

St. Amour said he chose to run for council because he feels he has unfinished business to take care of, but also wants to see the rebuilding process complete.

"I'm not happy with where things are going, things are dragging again, things are slow. And there's no reason for them to be going slow," said St. Amour.

Michael St Amour, the mayor of Enterprise, N.W.T., met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday.
Michael St Amour, the mayor of Enterprise, N.W.T., met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday.

Michael St Amour, the former mayor of Enterprise, N.W.T., is one of four new councillors acclaimed on Thursday. (Juanita Taylor/CBC)

He hopes the mayor and new council will work together for the benefit of the hamlet, which was devastated after losing almost 90 per cent of the community during last year's wildfire season.

"I hope everybody works the same way. Be open and honest and transparent, let's stand united," he said. "We'll get things done quicker if we all agree."

But St. Amour said he's confident he can help continue the work he was doing as the mayor, just now as a councillor.

"I feel good. Even though it's just been two months. I'm ready to work for the people that have lost everything," he said. "I just want to move forward."

St. Amour said finalizing the transfer of land titles, which has been an ongoing issue for the hamlet, should be a top priority for the community. There are several residents who paid off long-term leases years ago, but still don't have land titles from the territory.

"I know, there's some people that are refusing to rebuild until they have title. So that's another big issue that we have to work on," said St. Amour.

Rebuilding the community is also an important issue he hopes the hamlet will tackle immediately. It's hard for residents to feel optimistic about returning home and with another wildfire season starting soon, he said.

"People that have lost everything. How much more can they lose?" he said.

But with the upcoming fire season looming, St. Amour said he's ready to get to work.

"I know what I'm capable of doing. I know what other people are capable of doing," he said. "I'm comfortable [doing the work]."

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