Devon Hodder, a financial adviser for TD Canada Trust, says he plans to diversify YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 economy if he is elected to city council.
Could you please introduce yourself for anyone who may not know who you are?
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 a born and raised Yellowknifer. ISA国际影视传媒檝e been here 22 years. My parents came here in SA国际影视传媒�97 from Newfoundland. This is my home. ISA国际影视传媒檝e never lived anywhere else. ISA国际影视传媒檓 currently working as a financial adviser while studying for a bachelor of commerce online. I currently live downtown with my girlfriend and my dog.SA国际影视传媒�
What do you hope to change if youSA国际影视传媒檙e elected?
SA国际影视传媒淚 hope to diversify the economy. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e entering a critical time here with the mines closing. I think tourism investment is lacking. I would like to continue work on the SA国际影视传媒榞rowing our own food planSA国际影视传媒� and the arts plan.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur downtown certainly is in a dire state. I live and work downtown, and I walk down 50th Avenue every day. ISA国际影视传媒檓 no stranger to issues downtown. I think we need to take a collaborative approach with the GNWT and really look holistically at what we can do to address the social issues.SA国际影视传媒� Hodder said.
SA国际影视传媒淭he current system of the day shelter is clearly not working. I think we need educational programming, employment opportunities, detox programs, and I would like to see a treatment centre somewhere in Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�
Why have you chosen to run now?
SA国际影视传媒淚 think weSA国际影视传媒檙e entering a critical time, and nowSA国际影视传媒檚 as good a time as ever. I think this (upcoming) council has a lot of work to do, and I hope to be part of a lot of that work. ISA国际影视传媒檓 willing to put in the work. ISA国际影视传媒檓 invested in Yellowknife. I own property here. ISA国际影视传媒檓 born and raised here, going to school here. I want to make sure that we have someone in office that is willing to put in the work.SA国际影视传媒�
What are some of your must haves?
SA国际影视传媒淔iscal responsibility, regaining our residentsSA国际影视传媒� trust, being transparent, diversifying our economy so that when the mines close, YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 not left holding the bag, downtown revitalization, continuing to work towards reconciliation, and really bridging the gap between council and the community. I think this council and previous councils have not really communicated as effectively with the community as they should have. I would hope to change that.SA国际影视传媒�
How do you believe the trust of residents was lost?
SA国际影视传媒淚 think one perfect example is Tin Can Hill, signing the MOU (memorandum of understanding) with very little consultation with residents. And after the GNWT essentially dropped it on their desk with no time to talk to residents to see what everyone wanted, to see what their thoughts were. I would like to see more consultation with community to see what everyone else wants to do instead of just blindly making decisions.SA国际影视传媒�
Are there any other comments that you would like to add?
SA国际影视传媒淲ith the mines closing and the state of our city, weSA国际影视传媒檙e entering a critical time. I really encourage all Yellowknifers to cast their votes wisely. Vote for council candidates who are willing to put in the work and get things done.SA国际影视传媒�
