Political round up March 22

Monday, 22 March 2021 16:19

NDP leader Kate White speaks to media to announce her party's eat local buy local rebate

Yukon Political parties are steady on the campaign trail as week two of campaigning begins.

The Yukon Liberals announced their commitment to housing across the territory this morning.

Party leader Sandy Silver made the announcement alongside Porter Creek South candidate Ranj Pillai.

“We need to look for new, creative solutions to the housing situation. That is why we are committing to work with the private sector and the city of Whitehorse to consider relocating the greater station in Marwell areas of Whitehorse and remediating land to enable more future development for housing. The greater station of Marwell is on some very valuable land. It’s well located to be a new neighbourhood and we would like to explore what it will take to make this possible. If re-elected, we are committed to supporting mobile home residents in expanding availability. We will work with First Nations and private sector partners in Whitehorse to investigate the development of a new bare land condominium mobile park. We will also increase energy efficiency rebates available for mobile home owners and the support to transition to electrical heating. Our Liberal team is also committed to supporting a new community land trust through a land parcel grant. This concept will create permanently affordable housing through a rent-to-own or facilitated ownership model.” Says Pillai.

The Yukon Party announced their plans to make childcare in the territory more affordable.

Party leader Currie Dixon alongside Whitehorse West candidate Angela Drainville made the announcement this morning at the party’s campaign headquarters.

Dixon says if his party is elected, they will provide $500 per child, per month, for to parents of children up to age five. After that parents will receive $100 per child, per month, from ages five to ten.

Dixon went on to say that his party will increase wages for early childhood educators and give them opportunities to upgrade their skills.

“In addition to the wage enhancements, a Yukon Party government will work with the early childhood educator community to review their certification system and explore the creation of new levels. We’ll work with operators to address issues related to staff recruitment and retention. We’ll create incentives for ECEs to enhance their education, their skills and their training. And to ensure that we can offer high quality training and education, we will explore the development of and early learning degree here at Yukon University.” Says Dixon.

Dixon says by increasing education, he hopes to attract more people to the field.

NDP leader Kate White announced this morning, that if her party is elected, they will offer a eat local buy local rebate to Yukon businesses.

The rebate incentivises business to get their food from local farmers, with the goal of reducing transportation distances and carbon emissions and supporting the local economy.

White also says the party will direct all Yukon government facilities to choose local food first.

“Hospitals, continuing care facilities, and correctional facilities will look to local farmers for the food they need first, instead of sending money out of territory. It’s good for farmers, it’s good for our economy, and it’ll be great for the environment.” Says White.

White says the actual dollar amount of the rebate has not yet been calculated because discussions with farmers need to take place.

The territorial election will take place April 12th.