Whitehorse fields diverse slate of council candidates

Some of the 22 candidates competing for six seats on Whitehorse city council attended an all-candidates forum held by the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night.

Twenty-two candidates are competing for six seats on Whitehorse city council and one thing that's different in this election is the diversity of the candidates.

The Whitehorse candidates range in age and experiences — some have young families, others are retired. They represent a cross-section of the community.

“It's great that there are representatives from all walks of life,” said Yvonne Clark, president of the Canadian Filipino Association of Yukon.

Among the people who will be on the Whitehorse municipal ballot this time are people from various communities including a Filipino Canadian, Indo-Canadians, Francophones and First Nations candidates.

Returning officer Norma Felker said there have been years with more names on the ballot but never a field as diverse.

“I would say that it is a reflection of how Whitehorse is changing and growing and diversifying,” she said.

The chamber of commerce is hosting a forum for mayoral candidates tonight starting at 6 p.m. at the Gold Rush Inn.

Municipal election day in Yukon is Thursday, Oct. 18. There is an advance poll today in Whitehorse. In Dawson City, there's also a mobile poll today for residents of the extended health care facility.