Current Dominion Diamond Mines Vice President Gaeleen MacPherson announced her intention to run for MLA in Yellowknife South in the upcoming Territorial election.
MacPherson states that a big reason for her decision to run is due to the NWT’s two largest diamond mines nearing the end of mine life.
“It will have a significant impact on northern employment, in particular here in Yellowknife. It’s critical we take action before these impacts hit us full-on.”
MacPherson’s mining background includes over four years of human resources with Dominion Diamond Mines as well as just under two years as their current VP of Corporate Affairs. She also has more than eight years of experience in human resources at De Beers Canada.
She adds that with her industry knowledge, business experience and the relationships that she’s developed throughout her career in mining, she can bring important insights and ideas on how the NWT can change course.
“If we are to strengthen and diversify our economy, we need to address the high cost of living. It currently stands as the single greatest impediment to healthy growth in the Northern economy.”
MacPherson notes that her focus is on making decisions that will have known positive impacts on areas currently lagging such as the continued drop in the Territory’s population.
“We have continued to see the numbers decrease. If we are able to attract students to a world‐class polytechnic institute here in Yellowknife, we increase the likelihood of students becoming long‐term residents. An overhaul of education programming in the North is long overdue.”
MacPherson joins Caroline Wawzonek in running for Yellowknife South MLA, a position which is currently held by Premier Bob McLeod. McLeod has yet to announce whether he plans to run for re-election.
