Thursday's city council byelection ushered in Kirk Cameron, a local consultant and former president of the Yukon Liberal Party.

Cameron was elected with 405 votes, overcoming former city councillor Duke Connelly by just 36 votes for the vacant seat left behind by former councillor Doug Graham's departure to the territorial legislature.

Though only 19 per cent of eligible residents participated in the vote, the victory was enough to elect Cameron during a pivotal time in the city's development and economic growth.

"I feel great,” the 52-year-old Cameron told reporters last night.

"I was born and raised here. I love this place, and to be given the vote of confidence by so many people in Whitehorse to say, ‘Go and let's make a difference in council' is a real statement.

"Hopefully, I can go and make a difference and hold up that trust that they have given me.”

Cameron said his immediate focus on council will be on improving the city's housing situation and getting ahead of the curve on economic growth.

"The important things have to do with housing, housing, housing, land availability, affordable housing, not just housing,” he said.

"These are all critical parts. Getting the economy ahead of the curve because despite what other people think, we are part of an economic curve right now.”

The strategic management of economic growth has been a key platform for Cameron since the beginning of his campaign.

"We are the economic engine of the Yukon here in Whitehorse,” he said.

"We are three-quarters of the population of the territory. Most of the goods and services provided to the mining industry, which is the economic driver of the territory, come through this city.

"We need to create an environment that is supportive of smart, planned growth.”

Another early campaign promise was that if elected, Cameron would work to increase co-operation among all levels of government, something he plans to pursue now that he has been elected.

"It's not just about all the votes taken on a Monday night (when council meets). Its about the interaction between council and the mayor and the four levels of government,” he said.

"We have four levels of government all with an active interest in housing in this territory. The federal government dropped $18 million on housing (to the territorial government) that no one seems to be able to put their finger on; the territory has capacity to be able to contribute to housing; the First Nations have a very strong policy interest they are now moving on and lot of land in Whitehorse that they can deliver and, guess what? The city is in there was well.”

Cameron would also create what he calls a "grassroots group” of about 200 people, which he will consult in his future decision-making.

The proposed Porter Creek D subdivision will be a major issue for Cameron in his new position.

Each of the top four candidates in the byelection had stated they were formally against development in the creek area.

Cameron revealed last night that the "jury was still out” on the future of the subdivision and that he will need more information to base future decisions on.

"Let's be clear on this one,” he said. "I have spent a lot of time over the last week talking to over 40 individuals with a very strong interest, and they are all over the map ... I have said repeatedly during this campaign, I need evidence-based decision-making.

"I need the information that's going to be able to drive a good decision on this particular issue, even if the answer is that we will move into the design phase.”

Cameron has expressed a more resolute stance in the past.

On Nov. 18, the Yukon Conservation Society asked Cameron and the other 12 byelection candidates to officially state their positions on the issue of middle McIntyre Creek and the development of the proposed Porter Creek D subdivision.

"I support well-planned development of many areas of Whitehorse, but not the middle McIntyre Creek corridor,” he said in response.

"I will vote ‘no' to this, and will ask for a full explanation from administration on how already disturbed areas can be used to address the projected need,” the letter continued.

"I am just not convinced that we need to damage further the ecology of middle McIntyre Creek!”

Cameron will be officially sworn in at 7:15 p.m. Monday at a special meeting, prior to the standard council meeting.

Cameron was a senior official in the 2000-02 government led by former Liberal premier Pat Duncan.

He was also a candidate in the Dec. 13, 2010 Whitehorse Centre byelection which elected NDP Leader Liz Hanson to the legislature.

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