Political round up April 7

Wednesday, 7 April 2021 15:15

By Dylan MacNeil

NDP leader Kate White speaks to media via zoom.

In just five days we'll know who will be the next premier of the Yukon. Here is the scoop on the territory's politics today.

Yukon NDP leader Kate White held a press conference alongside independent Don Hutton this morning to discuss the party’s plan to address addictions and the opioid crisis in the territory.

Here is what White had to say.

“We’re going to implement the recommendations from the strategies to reduce alcohol related harms and costs in Canada report because those are evidence-based policies that will make Yukoners healthier, happier, and safer. We’re going to build and staff the on the land addictions treatment centre people have been asking for. We’re going to make sure it’s culturally safe and appropriate for people, so they can feel comfortable to ask for and receive the help that they need. And we’re going to double the number of beds in withdrawal management, or detox, so that the minute someone decides that they need help they don’t have to go to the hospital and they don’t have to go it alone.” Says White.

White went on to say they an NDP government will open the Yukon’s first managed alcohol program. As well, they will open a safer consumption program and start a safe supply program. White also said her party will open a multi-disciplinary chronic pain clinic to reduce reliance on opioids.

The Yukon Party says if they form the next government, they will take steps to address community violence.

The party issued a press release this morning saying, if elected, they will commit $1 million in new funding to combat sexual assault and provide services to survivors of sexual violence.

They also say they will take steps to implement the Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ People strategy.

The release also says that a Yukon Party government will implement Clare’s Law legislation to ensure that in defined circumstances, people at risk of domestic violence may be notified of their partners’ previous history of domestic violence or violent acts. As well they will work with Queer Yukon to make the Yukon Pride Centre a reality.

The Yukon Liberal Party announced, if re-elected, they will spend $50 million to support Yukon’s green economy.

The party says they will provide a rebate of $5000 for the purchase of an electric vehicle and $750 for an e-bike. They will also install more electric vehicle charging stations and work with British Columbia to electrify the highway from Vancouver to Tuktoyaktuk by 2025.

The Liberals also say they will mandate all new Yukon Government buildings to use 35 percent less energy than targets specified in the National Energy Code. As well, they will support the transition of home heating systems to renewable sources, with the goal of 1300 homes on smart electric heating by 2030.

When it comes to the territory’s energy needs, the party will implement Yukon Energy’s 10-year renewable electricity plan which includes purchasing hydropower from the Atlin hydro plant and constructing a new pumped storage facility at Moon Lake to store extra power for use in the winter.

The territorial election will take place this coming Monday.

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Ground searches at two former Whitehorse residential school sites begin this week

WARNING: This article contains information that could be distressing to some readers.
Coroner's Inquest sees footage of lifeless body ignored for more than 12 hours

The on-site paramedic called the incident of Darla Skookum's death “bizarre” because she had obviously passed away many hours earlier.
How We Walk with the Land and Water holds two open houses

The open houses gave citizens and relations an opportunity to share their vision for the Southern Lakes Region
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter staff not trained for emergencies, inquest hears

Last week inquest heard Whitehorse emergency shelter staff members testifying that they were not trained for the emergencies that caused the deaths of four Yukon women.
Premier pledges to meet with Yukoners living in tents to help them find housing

Audio

Yukon NDP House Leader Lane Tredger describes Premier Ranj Pillai's commitment as a bluff; says Pillai is "out of touch."
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter saw a higher presence of drugs after the Connective took over

One staff member while testifying, said things changed for the worse when Connective took over, as they saw a higher presence of drugs.
Whitehorse Shelter has recorded 144 overdoses between 2020 and 2022

144 overdoses has happened at the shelter between 2020 and 2022. Three were at least fatal, including Cassandra Warville and Myranda Tizya-Charlie, on Jan. 19, 2022.
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter understaffed and staff lacked training - inquest reveals

They said at the time of the incident, there was no clear policy or training available to staff on how to deal with overdose incidents nether were they trained on how to monitor intoxicated guests.
Yukon’s legislature recognizes 40 years of programming by CHON-FM/NNBY

Audio

Tributes to CHON-FM include special mention of the late Rockin' Terry Carlick
Coroner’s Inquest into Whitehorse Emergency Shelter deaths begins in Whitehorse

Loud screaming was heard and many broke into tears in painful disbelief when the CCTV footage showed shelter staff dragging the women's lifeless bodies from the shower room.
The Whitehorse Star says goodbye after over a century of publication

One of the last locally owned newspapers in Canada is closing its doors after 124 years of serving Yukoners; thanks staff, advertisers, and readers for being part of its rich history.
City of Whitehorse tables new bylaw to discourage abandoning buildings

If introduced, the bylaw would make annual permits mandatory for buildings left vacant for more than a month and would require owners to safeguard the building from fire and other hazards, maintain insurance and carry out snow and ice removal.
Yukon Party renews its criticism of Yukon Hospital Corporation funding following CBC article.

Audio

Health Critic Brad Cathers quoted documents acquired by the public broadcaster through an Access to Information request, while Minister McPhee stands by the funding of the Hospital Corporation.
CHON-FM's Kaska-language coverage of hockey tournament gets national attention

You can hear CBC's national host interview Testloa Smith
Yukon Party criticizes the health minister's trip to Scotland

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee spent seven days in Scotland following several rural health centre closures and service reductions in Yukon communities. McPhee hasn't visited Watson Lake in-person since 2021.
Whitehorse RCMP arrests one suspected to be involed with Victim Services Office break-in

A search warrant by Police officers with Whitehorse Detachment General Investigation Section and General Duty officers was executed where Kyle McCormick was known to reside and recovered additional items also believed to be taken from the break-in.
Yukon Native Hockey Tournament returns to Whitehorse

The 44th Annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament will see 56 teams from the Yukon, Bc, and North West Terriotries attending one of the most anticipated social events of the year.
Community space in the former cafeteria in Jim Smith Building now open

The community space situated on the ground floor of the Jim Smith Building, which is located at 2071 2nd Avenue in Whitehorse, will be open starting Monday, March 18th and will continue to welcome visitors for the next six and a half weeks
Break-in at Whitehorse Victim Services office under inverstigation

Confidential files and other items are believed to have been accessed and individuals who have obtained services or may have been referenced in victims’ files through Victim Services may be affected.
Yukon's RCMP records historic seizure of cocaine in Dawson City

This seizure of cocaine is the largest cocaine seizure in the Yukon to date.