
Photo by Photo Submitted
ENTERS THE RACE – Ted Laking, who has announced his candidacy for city council, says he can ‘bring a pragmatic lens’ to the elected body.
Photo by Photo Submitted
ENTERS THE RACE – Ted Laking, who has announced his candidacy for city council, says he can ‘bring a pragmatic lens’ to the elected body.
Whitehorse resident Ted Laking has become a candidate for city council in the Oct. 21 election.
Whitehorse resident Ted Laking has become a candidate for city council in the Oct. 21 election.
Laking, 36, was born and raised in the Yukon and lives with his wife, Colleen, and sons Henry and James in Whistle Bend.
He said today he’s committed to helping address the city’s increasing lack of affordability and the barriers this creates for citizens across the socio-economic spectrum.
“As the father of two young children, I’m more concerned each and every day about how expensive daily essentials have become and what this means for their future,” said Laking.
“It has become increasingly unrealistic for Yukoners to afford to live here as more and more people get priced out of a place to live,” he added.
“We can't afford to delay action any longer. Together we must finally come up with long-term solutions to our city’s shortage of land and housing so that people can own or rent, safe, affordable housing.”
Laking brings more than a decade of senior government and management experience to his candidacy and “a common-sense approach to the issues facing Whitehorse residents and businesses,” he said.
Laking is the chief of staff for the Yukon Party caucus, a position he has taken a leave from. He was formerly the communications director and later the chief of staff for then-federal Environment minister Leona Aglukkaq.
During his time with the federal government, Laking said, he played a key role in developing Canada’s climate change targets and has represented the country several times at the United Nations, including at the 2014 UN Climate Summit in New York.
“Many issues facing our city can be traced back to red tape and spiralling spending of the City of Whitehorse,” Laking said.
“I can bring a pragmatic lens to council; one that balances improved services to residents and businesses with a budget and planning process that is more transparent and in touch with our needs today, and for generations to follow.”
He said he also wishes to better represent the residents of areas of the city who pay some of the highest taxes, “yet struggle with the current municipal government regarding infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.
“I’m so proud to live and work in Whitehorse, and raise my family here, and am committed to planning and implementing solutions that will build an affordable future for all Yukoners,” Laking said.
“With the support of Whitehorse residents, I would be hounoured to represent their voices on council.”
Mellisa Murray is also running for council. The deadline to file papers is Sept. 23.
The three mayoral candidates are councillors Laura Cabott and Samson Hartland, and local resident Patti Balsillie. Incumbent Dan Curtis is not seeking re-election.
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Comments (16)
Up 0 Down 3
lawl on Sep 15, 2021 at 4:35 pm
@ are you kidding me
Good to see the YP spin doctors are out. There was no 'tie' in the election Hahahaa
Who is the governing party? Hint: Not the YP
Come at me with the 'popular vote' win, I'll continue to laugh
Up 17 Down 5
To Nope....are you kidding me??? on Sep 14, 2021 at 3:07 pm
And how is he a "failed YP member"? YP tied with the Liberals in the election, and won the popular vote. He is not an MLA, and does a good job working with them, as far as I can tell.
These comments can be pretty bogus. People grasp for anything they can to make someone look bad for partisan reasons. I am a Yukon Party member. I went to school with Ted. He has a brilliance and ambition I will never have, and I think he will go great places. I am just having a hard time understanding why Ted is being called a "failed YP member".
Seriously. The guy is running for City Council. Let him do it and if he "fails", then go ahead and call him out. He has not put his name forward before, and thus cannot be called a failure. Don't politicize him. Just don't vote for him.
Up 14 Down 1
Jim on Sep 13, 2021 at 7:19 pm
It’s nice to see a variety of names on the ballots. But one thing I for one would love to see, is candidates worried about municipal affairs. Low cost housing is a federal or territorial issue. They have the deep pockets to deal with this. The best the city can do is property tax give aways that actually increases everyone else’s share. There are lots of improvements needed on municipal issues. Maybe not as grand of a gesture but they are the meat and potatoes issues that require attention. Much like the another candidate announced that global warming as her main reason for running. Hoping for candidates that want to make the city function smoother which in turn improves everyone’s life a bit.
Up 12 Down 20
Nope on Sep 13, 2021 at 4:14 pm
Just what we don’t need on council, another failed YP member.
Up 17 Down 3
I don't know him on Sep 13, 2021 at 3:00 pm
But seriously, anyone who steps up to run for anything these days deserves a 'thank you'. Good luck to all you've put their names forward.
Up 5 Down 16
COOKIE, WHO WANTS A COOKIE!? on Sep 13, 2021 at 9:24 am
Look at those cookie-reset thumbs.
It's sad, how some people need to so obviously manipulate an online forum in order to create the illusion that their perspective is the most valid.
Real loser s***, that.
Up 21 Down 9
Anie on Sep 10, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Remember, we can vote for up to 6, but don't have to. My approach it to pick one candidate and vote only for that person. Filling up your ballot to get 6 check marks could result in you helping to defeat the one candidate that you actually want to elect.
Up 41 Down 17
Tracy C on Sep 10, 2021 at 12:11 pm
So this is great! I am seriously so excited to vote this time around! Finally some awesome people to check.
Up 48 Down 15
7th avenue for life on Sep 10, 2021 at 12:08 pm
This is awesome news! I have had the pleasure of dealing with Ted and while he couldn't solve my issue outright he sure did everything in his power to get it fixed for me through a number of avenues. I am happy to see him put his name forward!
I sure hope the Council gets a good refresh this time around with some more fiscal responsible thinkers. City Hall is fine the way it is. Our infrastructure needs some fixing and new roads built. Not Mayor castles. Got my vote Ted!
Up 20 Down 11
Chris Fox on Sep 10, 2021 at 10:33 am
Finally a candidate that will do something to clean up the sewer that downtown Whitehorse has become.
Probably not!
Up 24 Down 47
JC on Sep 9, 2021 at 7:01 pm
Oh, a Yukon Party Conservative is concerned about the cost of things? Well, I'm sure that means he'll support a city-wide initiative to increase wages.... oh wait, hes a YP conservative.
But, he'll probably want social housing and not just construction projects that get billed as affordable even though they're not..... oh wait, YP conservative.
BUT SURELY! He'll implore the government to release more land, and maybe even work to open up lands within Whitehorse city limits, thereby dropping land prices across the board.... oh dang, YP conservative.
I'd be willing to bet money that this guy isn't ideologically inclined to promote any real long term solution to the problems he stated. Sounds more like 'man-of-the-people' rhetoric, and hollow AF. Blergh
Up 30 Down 18
Hopeful on Sep 9, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Well, he’s saying some right things. Tell us though what is your plan for ‘fixing’ the increased traffic issues in Whitehorse? What is your plan for a secondary way in/out of Riverdale?
Whitehorse residents: do you want another Lieberal as Mayor? If not, don’t vote for Laura Cabott!
Up 30 Down 10
Gary on Sep 9, 2021 at 4:36 pm
Maybe it's time for someone other than a former govt person to run for city council. How about someone with no experience and not looking to bulls**t the people of Whitehorse!
Up 36 Down 63
Yukoner on Sep 9, 2021 at 4:07 pm
@JSM
Wouldn't call this new blood.. more of the same just the latest to float to the top.
Up 48 Down 17
Resident on Sep 9, 2021 at 3:43 pm
Can we have some candidates who have experience trying to buy property with under 100k combined family income?
Up 83 Down 15
JSM on Sep 9, 2021 at 2:57 pm
No idea what he is like as a person but new blood in our cesspool of ancient politicans is a good thing.