Kirk Cameron is hoping his experience in both the public and private sectors will help guide his way to a seat in the legislature.

Standing next to the White Pass and Yukon Route depot on First Avenue at Main Street this morning, Cameron announced his plans to seek the territorial Liberal nomination for the Whitehorse Centre riding that takes in his downtown neighbourhood.

NDP Leader Liz Hanson was the first to announce her plans to seek the seat. Long-time Whitehorse Centre MLA Todd Hardy's July 28 death left the seat vacant. Premier Dennis Fentie has until January 2011 to have a byelection called, but has not commented on when he will do so.

As he spoke to reporters with about 30 family members, friends and Liberal supporters gathered around, Cameron recalled his early years in Whitehorse, where he was born and raised.

"It has given me an incredible sense of purpose in the Yukon,” he said.

His public sector work included a role as cabinet secretary to former premier Pat Duncan's Liberal government in the early 2000s.

Now, the 51-year-old said, he wants to give back to the community that has done so much for him.

The riding, he said, is one of the most complex in the territory, as multimillion-dollar companies are next-door to people living in poverty and/or suffering from addictions.

As he walked his son to Whitehorse Elementary School each day through the week, Cameron passes the Salvation Army and sees first hand the issues of poverty, homelessness and substance abuse.

Surely, with a $1-billion-plus annual budget, he said, the territory can do better at helping those who are less advantaged.

The need for addictions treatment, poverty reduction, safer neighbourhoods and attainable housing are all evident, Cameron said.

He suggested the four levels of government, service organizations and even the private sector need to collaborate on initiatives to deal with the issues facing the riding.

He noted as an example, the Yukon Real Estate Association could play a significant role in dealing with housing issues.

"It's a long-term strategy,” he said of dealing with the numerous issues facing the downtown area.

Recognizing that not all initiatives may be effective, he said, it will be important to remain consistent and persistent in pursuing such efforts.

The downtown sector, he said, is not only the core of Whitehorse, but the core of the territory.

Cameron went on to recognize Hardy's contributions over the years beginning in 1996, noting the riding was held by a person "who can never be replaced.

"Todd Hardy did so much for the downtown,” Cameron said.

While he didn't always agree with Hardy on issues, he adde, there was no denying Hardy's belief and passion for the downtown.

"He set a very, very high bar,” he said of Hardy, who lost a four-year battle with leukemia.

While Cameron certainly won't mirror Hardy, he said he hopes he can follow in Hardy's footsteps in his passion for the riding.

Cameron was questioned about potentially running against the NDP leader, on the assumption she will secure her party's nomination.

He noted he believes living in the riding (Hanson doesn't) provides him with a good sense of the issues, though if he's nominated to represent the Liberals for the seat, he believes voters would have a choice of at least two good candidates.

Cameron first worked for the Yukon government from around 1983 to 1989. That was followed by a stint with the B.C. government from about 1989 to 1991. He then landed in Ottawa, working for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) until about 1999.

Cameron's work for DIAND saw him return to the Yukon, where he later moved onto serving in Duncan's 2000-02 government.

He left that role in 2002 because, he explained today, it was simply time to move on after accomplishing a number of initiatives. They ranged from land claim settlements and opening dialogue for further settlements, to working with the federal government to rewrite the Yukon Act, and many others.

Since then, he's worked as a principal with Gartner Lee Ltd. (now AECOM). Last year, he opened his consulting firm, northSense management consulting.

He is also involved with a number of boards and organizations, Those include the Whitehorse Elementary School council, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations constitutional review committee, the Northern Strategy Group, Downtown Residents Association, Institute of Public Administration of Canada, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and the Royal Canadian Legion.

Cameron acknowleged there will have to be some discussion about continuing his role as president of the territorial Liberals. He noted there will obviously be some conflicts in the position that he may have to abstain from. He also serves as the local president for the federal Liberals.

Cameron will contest the nomination against Patrick Singh, who waited this morning until Cameron announced his candidacy to make his own announcement (see story below).