Yukon political parties are nearing the end of their first week of campaigning. Here is the low down from today.
Yukon Party leader Currie Dixons says if he is elected premier, he would like to have clear benchmarks on how the territory will move forward through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We think that we need to work with the chief medical officer of health to develop a new path forward for the territory to allow, or at least set a path for re-opening and so, whether that’s the internal restrictions we have in place or the exterior border controls, either way, I think we need to at least come up with a plan for what Yukoners can expect over the coming months with regards to re-opening. What we think, is that there has been a lack of information about ‘what are the sort of benchmarks and metrics the government is using to make these decisions?’ I think that a lot of Yukoners want to see some of that information so they can help understand what is happening.” Says Dixon
During his weekly update, Dixon went on to say the vision for his party’s platform is getting results for Yukoners.
“The theme for our campaign is Action for a Change. And so, what we want to convey there, is that, you know? We really think that Yukoners want to see a government that is focused on delivering outcomes and taking action and making the tough decisions that are going to present any government.” Says Dixon
When asked if his party will announce anything in their platform about green energy, Dixon said fossil fuels will have a place in Yukon for some time, but preparing to add renewable energy to the grid is a smart idea.
“The reality is that, because we’re an isolated grid and because we are where we are in the north, fossil fuels will continue to be a part of our energy mix for sometime. We should of course begin preparing for adding in renewable projects to our portfolio. We want to see, you know? We are obviously very lucky to have the hydro that we do but we need more. There is an ever-growing demand for electricity in the territory so, we need to make sure that we have the plans in place to provide that energy, but in the meantime, we need to ensure that we keep the lights on.” Says Dixon
Dixon went on to say that smoothing out spikes in Yukoners electricity bills is a priority for his party.
After his weekly update Dixon held a press conference where he announced his party’s education recovery plan. The plan outlines how a Yukon Party government will help students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This plan will include the provision of resources to assist students who may have fallen behind due to education delivery changes, enhanced access to mental health supports for our territory’s schools, and a review of the financial supports for students who have scholarships that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.” Says Dixon.
Dixon went on to say that his party will increase graduation rates for first nations students by strengthening relationships with first nations and developing an indigenous academy.
Later in the day the Yukon Party announced Stacey Hassard as their candidate for Pelly-Nisutlin.
NDP leader Kate White alongside Mountainview candidate Michelle Friesen and Whitehorse Centre candidate Emily Tredger announced the party’s plan to make housing more affordable in the territory.
“We’ll make housing more affordable, whether you’re a renter or looking to own. We’re going to invest in 250 single and family units of affordable housing with Yukon Housing across the territory. We’re going to make more lots available. We’re going to protect renters against big rent hikes and limit how much rent can be increased every year, so it’s predictable. We’re going to follow the model of the Whistler housing authority, to create affordable houses for sale, that are kept affordable for people with modest incomes with out impacting the value of other people’s homes. And we’ll give mobile home owners more rights and protections against evictions and sky-rocketing pad rents. The housing crisis is real, and it’s hurting people.” Says White
The party made a point to announce their plan in an empty lot owned by the government. White says the only thing stopping the land from being used for housing is politics.
White says when it comes to housing costs, Whitehorse is staring to feel like Vancouver, and in rural communities housing is hard to find.
White went on to say that housing is a human right and the only way to stop the homelessness is to build more houses. She says it won’t be easy, but it has to be done.
Liberal candidate for Mountainview Jeanie McLean and candidate for Watson Lake Amanda Brown held a press conference this morning to talk about the party’s plan to keep communities safe by extending community safety plans and expanding the Sexualized Assault Response Team program.
The Sexualized Assault Response Team launched in 2020, Mclean says now it is time to extend the program to rural communities.
“The focus first will be likely in the comminutes that have hospitals because there’s a significant medical component to the program in Whitehorse so, and then we’ll be looking to expand out to other rural communities. There’s a lot of work that that’s already gone into it, and really, this is a need.” Says McLean
The candidates also say, to increase community safety and justice as part of Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ strategy, the Liberals will establish a program to provide supportive community housing to justice involved women that will be gender responsive, culturally sensitive and trauma informed.
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