After Bob: Wong Announces for Weledeh

Wong first ran for the seat when he was 18

No one is ever likely to question Dan Wong’s commitment to his career choice.

Twelve years after he first ran in Weledeh as a politically precocious 18-year-old high school senior, Wong has again set his sights on the constituency.

“This is something I’ve been working at for a long time,” Wong said Thursday as he announced his intention to contest the seat vacated by Bob Bromley.

The lesson Wong took away from the 2003 election was that “politics and public service was a goal I wanted to work towards for the rest of my life.”

Wong studied political science at Queen’s University and the University of British Columbia, earning undergraduate and masters degrees before returning to Yellowknife to work for the territorial government and pursue his political career.  

In 2012, Wong ran for city council and topped the polls, garnering more votes than any other candidate in Weledeh, where he will face fellow councilor Cory Vanthuyne, who declared his intentions earlier this year.

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As a GNWT public servant, Wong developed health and environmental policy, specializing in climate change and sustainability, which dovetailed with his committee work on council.

Wong resigned from his government job in May to focus on his political career. He’ll spend the months leading up to the November 23 election canvassing voters for their views and developing a platform.

“I’m not going to make promises,” Wong said. “But I will tell voters what I will work hard on every day. I have experience, and I will bring new energy to the legislature. I’m ready.”

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