The Yukon Liberals have a new potential candidate in Watson Lake.

Businessman Ernie Jamieson announced today he’s running for a seat in the Yukon legislature, seeking a Liberal nomination.

Jamieson, who was born in Whitehorse, has lived in Watson Lake for more than 55 years.

He has been a small business owner for more than three decades, according to a statement.

“For my community, Watson Lake, there’s ample resource, ample opportunity and there’s nothing happening,” Jamieson told the Star today.

“After 55 years of living there, I know it pretty good, and I figured I could make something happen.”

Jamieson has worked in carpentry, trucking, road construction, machine operation and mining.

Today, Jamieson owns and operates a bus and trucking company with his wife, Pat.

The couple have been married for more than 45 years and raised two children in Watson Lake.

“We need a strong voice in government that is willing to address and implement pressing needs and concerns of community,” Jamieson said in his statement.

Prior to this candidacy, he served as a Watson Lake municipal councillor and deputy mayor for two terms.

While on council, he was involved in the ATCO Electric Yukon waste heat project and the renovation of the local recreation centre.

Jamieson said he wants to address the lack of jobs in his community, and the social problems this has caused.

“I’ve spent 15 years of PC (Progressive Conservative, the Yukon Party’s former name) rule, and there’s not a lot happening. I feel like I can do better; create more opportunity for Watson Lake.”

During his off-time, Jamieson said, he likes to spend time in the wilderness fishing, hiking and boating. In his statement, he said protecting the land is important to him.

“I am also running for MLA in order to work together with the local First Nation and residents of Watson Lake to help understand and address local issues and concerns,” he said.

Apart from outdoor activities, the Takhini Transport owner coached kids in hockey for more than 10 years.

Last July, the Yukon government cancelled a five-year school bus contract with Takhini Transport after two years, citing concerns about safety and service quality.

The contract, worth $14 million, involved about 60 buses.

According to documents obtained by the NDP through an access to information request and provided to the Star, some drivers did not have first aid certification, RCMP background checks and special training to drive a school bus.

Documents also alleged that buses were not maintained and repaired by a certified mechanic.

“It’s something that came down the pipe in my life and it’s definitely behind me,” Jamieson said when asked about the cancelled school bus contract, which he would not discuss with the media at the time.

“That was an opportunity that I had and there’s many more out there. The world’s full of them, and I’m on my new one.”

Party spokesperson Jason Cunning said this morning the cancelled busing contract did not play a role in Jamieson’s decision to run for the Liberals.

“The main reason why he’s running is because the Watson Lake economy is not doing great,” said Cunning, and Jamieson wants to work to improve it.

Jamieson said his community isn’t the only one that “needs a big boost.”

“As far as my direction, it’s definitely to upgrade the government’s approach to communities throughout the Yukon,” he said.

Thomas Slager ran for the Liberals in Watson Lake in the 2011 election and lost to now-incumbent Patti McLeod of the Yukon Party.

“We’re happy to see interest in the Liberal party, and there’s lots of people coming forward because they see the Liberals as an alternative to the current government,” said Cunning.

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