Businessperson and *director of the NWT Chamber of Commerce, Jugjit More-Curran, says she’ll work to reduce costs, if elected to City council.
“Like me, everyone seems to agree that the biggest issue facing Yellowknifers today is the high cost of living and doing business in our city,” says the 48-year-old who moved to Yellowknife in 2003 and currently runs a consulting firm with her husband, which won the NWT Business of the Year this spring from the NWT Chamber of Commerce.
“No other level of government has as much of an impact on the bills that we pay as our municipal council. Between all the taxes, surcharges, fees and levies controlled by City Hall, there’s a real opportunity to get these costs under control and make it easier for people to build the lives they deserve for their families.”
She didn’t get into particulars about her platform, saying, “I filed just papers yesterday, so I won’t be releasing my full platform until I’ve had a chance to knock on at least a few doors and hear from residents.”
But she did say reducing costs was about more than just lowering property tax: “we also open up our wallets to city hall to pay for everything from tipping fees at the dump, registration costs for sports leagues, pet licenses and a myriad of other business levies. This election we need to decide collectively whether we’re getting good value for money as a city.”
One point she was clear on was her opposition to the Canada Winter Games bid, which she says is being pushed by a “small but vocal minority.”
“Make no mistake, the $36 million needed to do this will come out of our pockets, one way or another.”
Beyond that, More-Curran emphasized her experience and business acumen. “I’ve shown it throughout my career, I’m responsible…I’ve got a great work ethic. And with my tenure with the chamber, as well as other organizations in the North, I’m fiscally responsible and accountable.”
