Political Recap: Here's who's running to be the Yukon's next MP

Wednesday, 18 August 2021 11:01

By Dylan MacNeil

Dr. Hanley announcing his candidacy last week.

Among the choices are the territory's Chief Medical Officer of Health, and a "bestselling romance novelist."

Three days have passed since the federal election was called and the Yukon finally has more contenders to be the territory’s next Member of Parliament.

Labour and human rights activist Lisa Vollans-Leduc announced yesterday that she will run as the NDP candidate for the Yukon.

The long time Yukoner from Anishnawbec territory Harrow, Ontario, says major issues which will define the election are reconciliation, climate change, the lack of affordable housing, and leading Canada out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As well yesterday, the Conservative Party of Canada announced that Barbra Dunlop will be replacing Jonas J. Smith, who will now run as an independent. Last week Smith was kicked out of the race by the party because of his opposition to calls for mandatory workplace vaccinations and vaccine passports.

Dunlop is described in a press release as a “long-time Yukoner, a former Yukon public servant specializing in business development, and a bestselling romance novelist,” she is the former Yukon Film Commissioner, and served has as the Director of Business and Industry Development, and the Director of Policy, Planning and Communications with the territorial government’s Department of Economic Development.

Vollans-Leduc, Dunlop and Smith, will be up against Liberal candidate Dr Brendan Hanley, who is on leave from his job as the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, to hit the campaign trail.

Election Day is September 20^th.

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