Skip to content

Don Jaque enters race for Thebacha

Former Northern Journal publisher Don Jaque is making another try for Thebacha, four years after finishing third in a three-candidate race.

Publisher Don Jaque is the third name to enter the race for Thebacha in this year's territorial election.
Publisher Don Jaque is the third name to enter the race for Thebacha in this year's territorial election.

The Fort Smith resident announced his repeat run Saturday, stating on a Facebook post, "I believe Fort Smith is in trouble and I have the skills, experience and knowledge to turn that around. What I have to offer is distinctly different from the other candidates, the best option for what Fort Smith needs at this time."

Jaque listed the pending loss of the Aurora College headquarters to a polytechnic university based in Yellowknife, the decline in the community's health centre, and the slumping riverbank below downtown as some of the concerns raised with him by community members.

He also states the community's need for greater economic independence from government, while calling for reforms to the territory's consensus style of government, which says is "not working well."

Jaque finished with 173 votes in the 2015 territorial election, falling behind Louis Sebert who came out on top with 401 votes and then-incumbent Michael Miltenberger, who finished the race with 363 votes after holding the seat for 20 years.

Sebert went on to become the territory's justice minister and is seeking a second term. Also in the race is former Miltenberger constituency assistant Denise Yuhas.

The 2019 territorial election takes place Oct. 1.