Local realtor Rose Sellars is throwing her hat into the ring for the Yukon Liberals.
She hopes to secure the Liberal nomination for Copperbelt South during this year’s territorial election.
Sellars works as the education programs coordinator for the Council of Yukon First Nations, and has also worked in real estate for 18 years.
Because of her background, she said, she’s passionate about education, housing and homelessness.
Though she’s new to politics, she said she was inspired to run for office after hearing Liberal Leader Sandy Silver speak at a recent meeting and realizing that some of his interests aligned with hers.
Previously, she said, she’d never felt much loyalty to any particular party, but Silver told her he appreciates a diversity of views within his party.
“He said that’s great, that not one party does have all the answers,” she said.
A member of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Sellars said she believes the relationship between the Yukon government and First Nations could be improved.
“Eleven of them are a government, so we need to recognize that and work with them in that capacity,” she said. “The relationship can be better. It’s interesting that now, going into an election year ... (the Yukon government is) trying to bridge the gap of the last couple of years.”
Within the Copperbelt South riding, Sellars said, she’s concerned about mineral staking near residential properties, the widening of the Alaska Highway and the possible future subdivision of country residential lots.
Sellars was born and raised in the Yukon, and has lived in Copperbelt South for a total of 17 years with her husband and daughter, in the Cowley Creek, Mary Lake and Golden Horn subdivisions.
She has worked for municipal, territorial and federal governments, and owns her own real estate business.
She has also been involved with the Yukon Real Estate Association, the Grey Mountain Housing Society and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation general council. She graduated from the Yukon Native Teacher Education Program in 1995, and is also a former Rendezvous Queen.
Copperbelt South is currently held by NDP MLA Lois Moorcroft, who won the 2011 election by just three votes. Highways and Public Works Minister Scott Kent has recently announced he will be moving away from Riverdale North, his current riding, and will also be campaigning in Copperbelt South for the Yukon Party.
But Sellars said she’s not concerned about going head-to-head with two established politicians, if she wins the Liberal nomination.
“I feel pretty confident, actually,” she said. “I think living in the area for so long ... and knowing so many people ... I’m hoping that they’ll realize that I’ll be a good voice for them in the House.”
Contact Maura Forrest at
maura.forrest@yukon-news.com