Rob Foote wears a lot of hats.

He works a day job as a supply chain manager for the NWT Health and Social Services Authority and has also been sitting on the community advisory board on homelessness for the last two-and-a-half years, he said. He's also vice-president of the Yellowknife Minor Fastball League.

It doesn't stop there. He's also donning the title of city councillor. Foote, who ran for municipal council in the 2022 election, placed ninth out of 16 candidates. At the time, it meant he wouldn't have a seat. But because former mayor Rebecca Alty vacated the municipal role to become a federal politician, it has meant Ben Hendrisken has stepped up to become mayor. That leaves a seat for Foote, who was next in line for council.

If you were to ask Foote about his new title, he'd tell you the change doesn't come as much of a surprise. 

"I kind of had an idea that it was in the pipeline," he said on May 21, the day after city council decided that he was most deserving of the role.

"They would probably want to go with the most democratic option to replace any vacancies," he said of the city's current councillors.

Housing has been one this council's top concerns, which is a sentiment Foote shares, mentioning his experience with the community advisory board on homelessness.

"That's a portfolio that's really close to my heart, so I would like to see more attraction on getting the underprivileged people some of the dignity and the resources that they need in collaboration with other levels of government," he said.

Foote, who was born in Yellowknife, added he's excited about serving with local government and said that his civic mind hasn't taken any breaks. Prior to the news about getting to serve on council, he said he had been considering running again in the next municipal election.

"It was highly likely I was going to," he said. "Whether I'm going to again now with all this in the process, I'm not sure yet. We'll have to see how everything goes and how I like the role and how the role likes me before we make any decisions on the future."

There are 18 months left in this council鈥檚 term. The next municipal election is scheduled to happen on Oct.19, 2026. Nominations open on Sept. 7, 2026.