Kimberly Fairman said she hadn’t always plotted a career in politics. But that hasn’t stopped her from finding her own path in that realm.
“I think everything I’ve done up to this point has led me to want to serve in this race,” she said.
That race Fairman is talking about is the nomination to be the next Conservative Party candidate for the next federal election, which right now is scheduled to happen on Oct. 20, 2025, if not called sooner. She’s up against former Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson for the candidacy.
Fairman has spent decades working in the public service and she noted her community work as well.
“Here in Yellowknife, I’m really proud to have been part of kickstarting the Yellwknife Farmers’ Market as an inaugural board member,” Fairman said.
She explained she has always held conservative values, which is partly what drew her to that side of the political aisle. That, and she’s fed up with the lack of consideration on Northern issues from the federal Liberals.
“I’m really tired of what’s happening here under the Liberal lead,” she said. “I think, in general, the North struggles with having their issues heard in Ottawa. Under this government, it’s been particularly challenging.”
Fairman said that conversely, the Conservatives have done a good job listening to Northerners and their issues.
Her professional background is in nursing and her current job is as executive director of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research based in Yellowknife.
When it comes to social issues, one she’s passionate about advocating for in the NWT is addiction.
“I do think we need to have recovery options here that are well-managed and tangible for folks — they need to have some options,” she said.
Fairman added she sees herself as the kind of person who can disagree with others respectfully. In the NWT, one of those disagreements tend to be what to do about the mining industry and its impact on the environment, she said.
“I think more and more of that is a complex discussion (and) I think there are a lot of perspectives in there,” she said.
If there’s one thing Fairman cares about overall, it’s visibility for the Conservatives in the NWT.
“Even at the stage now where we’re putting our names forward as contestants in the nomination process, there are things that I can do to raise the profile of the Conservative Party here in the NWT,” she said. “I want to see a strong Conservative presence.”
The only voters who are eligible are those residing in the NWT who purchased a party membership before April 5, said Matt Lakusta, president of the NWT Conservatives. He also said the date of the vote has not yet been finalized, but something should be set in the coming days.