Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

EXCHANGING VIEWS – Moderator Dave Joe (far left) looks at the candidates at Tuesday evening’s debate on First Nations issues. From left to right: NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson; Conservative incumbent Ryan Leef; Liberal hopeful Larry Bagnell and Frank de Jong of the Green Party. An estimated 200 people watched the forum.

Large crowd watches candidates spar over issues

In an otherwise quiet and respectful debate Tuesday evening, the territory’s federal Green Party candidate entered the arena swinging after flying under the election radar for most of the summer.

By Aimee O'Connor on September 30, 2015

In an otherwise quiet and respectful debate Tuesday evening, the territory’s federal Green Party candidate entered the arena swinging after flying under the election radar for most of the summer.

Frank de Jong had been relatively low-profile for much of the election campaign so far.

First, he was away on a multi-week canoe trip, and was then tied up with his teaching job in Faro, five hours away from Whitehorse, where the other candidates have been primarily stationed since the writ dropped in August.

Not surprisingly, a question about Bill S-6 brought the heat at the Council of Yukon First Nations’ (CYFN’s) debate last night – after nearly an hour of remarks from candidates and First Nations dignitaries.

Dave Joe, a distinguished First Nations lawyer from the territory and moderator of the debate, called upon the audience and the candidates to keep the forum respectful, with no interjections while others are speaking.

This request kept the atmosphere more reserved than a previous debate at Yukon College, where tempers and voices were high – though candidates still managed some pointed prodding toward one another on several issues.

Conservative incumbent Ryan Leef was the target for attacks when the candidates were asked what they would do to address Yukon First Nations’ concerns over recent amendments to Yukon’s Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act (YESAA).

First Nations believe that the four controversial amendments to Bill S-6, which passed in June, were made without consultation – and will likely result in legal action.

Three Yukon First Nations have recently indicated they are preparing a lawsuit.

“The Government of Canada’s position is that S-6 doesn’t breach treaty agreements,” Leef said.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt committed to have the territorial government and Yukon First Nations sit down together to implement the four contentious pieces of the legislation, Leef added.

“S-6 itself represents a broader piece of legislation, as a result of a five-year review of YESAA.”

De Jong, however, called S-6 a “cowardly betrayal.”

“It’s bizarre and cowardly that Daniel Lang, our senator, had to submit this bill. Why didn’t you do it yourself, Ryan?” de Jong asked.

His remarks prompted loud laughter and applause from spectators at the forum.

The Green Party would repeal the legislation and its amendments immediately, de Jong went on to note.

The jab at Leef was followed up with another question from Larry Bagnell, the territory’s Liberal candidate.

The former MP wondered aloud why Leef thought First Nations would want to sit down to discuss the legislation they clearly believe undermines their land claim agreements.

Bagnell and NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson vowed to rescind the four clauses.

In an open question period after the CYFN’s three questions, de Jong fired back again, this time haranguing political support of hydraulic fracturing as a means to utilizing “green” or “clean” energy.

Fracking, he said, is not worth the ensuing damage to ground water – by any stretch.

Atkinson and Bagnell echoed support for those who oppose fracking.

Leef maintained there is no “cookie-cutter solution” for finding clean energy.

Each community in the territory has its own capacity and resources, he said.

Leef was put in the hot seat again a bit later, when an audience member asked why there seemed to be no First Nation representation at recent visits to Whitehorse from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Conservative MP Jason Kenney.

After insisting that there was First Nation representation at both visits, Leef criticized the other parties’ lack of Yukon-specific initiatives – other than repealing a “piece of legislation that is good for community.”

“There has been no specific investment specifically naming the Yukon by any of the parties today,” Leef said.

He defended the visit from Harper, where the PM announced a promise to develop a local military reserve unit of the Canadian Armed Forces.

During his visit last week, Kenney promised a new facility for cadets in the Yukon.

“You’re going to pay for them, but you’re never going to receive the services. I think you want to hear Yukon mentioned in a party platform,” Leef said.

Closer to the end of the debate, an audience member asked for each candidate’s stance on the long gun registry.

This served as an opportunity to further push the mantra of “broken promises” that Leef has been touting in an advertising campaign against Bagnell on this topic.

But Leef wasn’t the only candidate to take the bait from the question.

Atkinson reiterated that the New Democrats would not bring back the long gun registry, calling it “one, giant, hot mess.”

She went on to note that Bagnell “signed, sealed and delivered” the registry in 2011 for Yukoners – despite strong opposition to it in the territory.

According to de Jong, the gun registry went off track when pistols were not separated from long guns.

“Hand guns have no purpose but to shoot people,” he said.

“Whereas, the long gun, a rifle, in Yukon and northern Canada is a tool, not a weapon.”

Bagnell did not specifically defend his vote on the long gun registry in 2011, though he called the local Conservatives’ advertising “misleading.”

He noted that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has already stated that he would not bring back the registry if he’s elected.

Given the chance to respond, Leef said NDP Leader Tom Mulcair had once said registering a gun is no different than registering a dog.

“But for Larry to sit here and say that the Liberal party will never bring it back ... we’ve heard that story before,” Leef stated.

“My door was knocked on and I was told that you would vote a particular way and you didn’t on the long gun registry. It’s what motivated me to get into politics.

“It’s not credible and it’s not believable,” the MP said.

About 200 residents ranging in age filled the room at the Coast High Country Inn.

The candidates congregated fewer than 12 hours later for another debate at F.H. Collins Secondary School this morning. (See coverage in Thursday’s Star.)

Another opportunity for candidates to share their viewpoints will be held tonight at The Old Fire Hall.

Interested residents can register to have two-minute sit-downs with municipal and federal candidates – held in a speed dating-style format.

A forum on women’s rights and gender equality will take place on Thursday evening at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel.

Comments (8)

Up 2 Down 8

marie on Oct 5, 2015 at 9:39 pm

The issue is now TPP and it must be stopped. It is the greatest threat to us and only the Greens will stop it. Yukoners have a great Green candidate ..stick together and elect him ..Greens have the best no deficit platform of all as a bonus..

Up 57 Down 13

Slopy Joe on Oct 3, 2015 at 9:46 pm

All the candidates seemed very intelligent and well versed in subject matter except, Ryan Leef.

Up 17 Down 10

Arthur on Oct 1, 2015 at 6:18 pm

Where is Harper's moral compass. Being an Evangelical christian how can he allow hatred being sent to the public in the form of ads? Maybe he is not aware of them just like he wasn't aware of Nigel Wright paying off Duffy's tax bill. I question all of the Conservatives moral jurisdiction in approving by their silence these unholy attacks. There is no joking about the devil they know. Time long past for a change. We need a political renaissance in this country if it is to survive. Your vote is paramount.

Up 24 Down 1

CJ on Oct 1, 2015 at 12:23 pm

“You’re going to pay for them, but you’re never going to receive the services." Oh, please. If there's one thing we can't complain about, it's the services and facilities we get that we don't, or can't, pay for, given the size of our population. Don't embarrass us by painting us as so completely self-referential.

Up 64 Down 8

Snowblind on Oct 1, 2015 at 11:30 am

Wow, Ryan is really sounding desperate these days. I think he should polish up his resume.

Up 9 Down 49

Josey Wales on Oct 1, 2015 at 8:19 am

Hmmm..."A forum on women’s rights and gender equality will take place on Thursday evening at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel. "
If equality is sought, you'll have to gut justice as they coddle and enable Venus felons. You'll have to lay off 30-40% of the government employees.

The classifications of Canada's people and clear gender wars engaged since early 1980's IS, repeat IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE in this politically correct heavily socially engineered society of dysfunction.
Ladies, believe me you do not seek equality...you have and do seek superiority.

Up 12 Down 14

According to media today NDP in Quebec on Oct 1, 2015 at 7:36 am

is going down the drain is the words they use.

Up 20 Down 27

mj on Sep 30, 2015 at 4:53 pm

The left (like a bunch of chumps) will split the vote again, and Ryan Leef will help Steven Harper win another election.

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