2 candidates square off in Fort Smith, N.W.T., mayoral race

The upcoming mayoral election in Fort Smith, N.W.T., will see a face-off between incumbent candidate Fred Daniels and councillor Dana Fergusson, each bringing their own vision for the future of the town.

The race comes as Fort Smith faces the ongoing aftermath of a wildfire evacuation and several upcoming infrastructure projects. 

The next mayor will also become one of the leaders of the newly-developed Thebacha Leadership Council and will help shape it. Five local governing bodies, including the Town of Fort Smith, formed the council in June with the commitment to work together. 

Daniels says he is seeking re-election so he can keep working on essential infrastructure projects that he believes are crucial for the town's long-term success.

"Your water, your roads, your sewers, your garbage pickups — the stuff that people really need," he said. "It's been overlooked too long, and it's gotten to the period where we need to do it now." 

Daniels also named "overdue" projects such as expanding the town's fire station and updating equipment for its volunteer firefighters as priorities.

"We need to bite the bullet and get them done," he said.

Daniels was elected mayor in 2021 and has served one term. He said that moving from working in the public service sector to becoming the mayor has been a learning experience for him. Daniels deferred to the deputy mayor in meetings several times during his term but said he is committed to improving.

"I've never been in this arena before," he said. "There are definitely areas I need to improve on, and I've been learning throughout the term."

Daniels represented the town at the signing of the memorandum of understanding to create the Thebacha Leadership Council.  

He said he's lived in the community his entire life and is passionate about its people.

"The community has always been good to me," he said. "And now it's my turn to pay back the community."

'I'm solution-based,' says Fergusson

Fergusson, who has served three years on council, says she would bring a hands-on leadership style to the mayor's job, with a willingness to step in and actively work on solutions for the community.

She cites her experience during last year's fire evacuation, when she stayed in the community and kept residents updated through daily videos and help wherever needed. 

"I'm definitely 'boots on the ground.' I jump in and ask, 'What can I do to make this better?' I'm solution-based, and I think that's what I bring to the table," Fergusson said.

Fergusson and her husband own and manage the Pelican Rapids Inn in Fort Smith. She said she has strong personal and professional support systems in place that would allow her to focus on the mayoral role.

Fergusson said she sees a lot of potential in Fort Smith's recreation and outdoor spaces and wants to make sure they are meeting the needs of the community.

She highlighted the local rec centre, which contains the library, gym, pool and curling rink, as a key resource that needs to be maintained and improved as needed. She also named the arena, outdoor track, walking trails, skate park, and snowboard park as priorities, and said she wants to ensure facilities and programs meet the needs of residents, including youth and seniors.

"I'm passionate about the things that I get involved with. I'm loyal to it, I'm focused, and I'm driven," she said.

Fergusson also voiced her support for the Thebacha Leadership Council, saying that it's an important partnership that is crucial for supporting the needs of residents.

Election day in Fort Smith is on Oct. 21, with advance polling on Oct. 9. Along with the two mayoral candidates, there are 12 people running for six seats on council.