N.W.T. election hopeful faces business lawsuit

A prosperous Yellowknife businessman who wants to be an MLA has unfinished business with the territorial government.

Pharmacist and Shoppers Drug Mart owner Daryl Dolynny plans to run for the Range Lake seat in the October election, but he and a group of business associates are being sued for a failed venture backstopped by taxpayers.

The issue began seven years ago when they tried to revive Aurora World, a failing tourism business.

At the time, Aurora World owed the Business Development and Investment Corporation $1.8-million.

As part of the restructuring, the government agreed to forgive $800,000 and Dolynny and his partners promised to repay up to $100,000 out of their own pockets if the business failed again. 

Aurora World did fail a second time and the government is now trying to collect.

But in court documents, Dolynny and his partners claim that they were told they'd never have to make good on their loan guarantee.

Dolynny, who in his election material boasts of turning Aurora World into a money maker, would not comment.