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Yukon MP Larry Bagnel

Bagnell aims for another term in Ottawa

Nearly three months after learning who his Tory competitor would be next year,

By Palak Mangat on December 14, 2018

Nearly three months after learning who his Tory competitor would be next year, Yukon MP Larry Bagnell confirmed this morning that he plans to again in the 2019 federal election.

Speaking to the Star shortly before a formal release announcing his candidacy came out, Bagnell said he was pleased to be bringing experience to the role.

“I think the longer you’re in Parliament, it seems the more connection and respect you get, the more you can deliver,” the 68-year-old MP said today.

Should he secure the Liberal nomination, Bagnell would face off against Tory faithful Jonas Smith.

The latter was acclaimed the Conservatives’ candidate around mid-September, and has since said he is embarking on an “awareness campaign.”

That may be in part because Smith is a relative newcomer, at least on the federal stage, unlike Bagnell.

Acknowledging he is no stranger to representing Yukoners in Ottawa (on and off since 2000), the long-time Liberal said he is hopeful.

“We have accomplished a lot in the last three years, and I want to ensure we are able to finish these projects,” he added in the statement.

That includes things like the $79-million fibre optic redundancy line announced last June, which will see Ottawa kick in the lion’s share of money at up to $59 million.

That Dawson City-to-Inuvik, N.W.T. line is expected to see construction begin in 2019, the same year of the federal election.

Going forward, Bagnell said affordable housing is likely to continue being on his list – if not at the top.

“There’s projects that we started,” he said. “But there’s a lot more to come if we get re-elected.”

Part of that could include money to curtail opioid-related deaths in the territory, which currently sit at 18 since 2016 (see story, p. 6).

The feds are expected to sign off on a $500,000 agreement with YG for that very purpose in the coming days, the Star confirmed this morning.

“I’m just going to carry on (like I have) since 2000,” Bagnell said.

That was when he was first elected, ending the one-term career of then-NDP MP Louise Hardy.

Serving until 2011, Bagnell was ousted by Conservative Ryan Leef.

He reassumed office again with more than half the votes in the 2015 election, which saw Justin Trudeau become prime minister.

For his part, Smith has been vocal in particular about Bagnell’s stance on the new firearms bill, something the current MP said he is well aware of.

He added he is proud to have served his years in the House of Commons and has the advantage of the respect of territorial ministers (also of the governing Liberal stripe under Premier Sandy Silver).

“You don’t win all the battles, but we certainly won a lot,” Bagnell said.

One of the things he’s been advocating for, he said, is the Nutrition North program (which the feds announced updates to as recently as this month after 2016 consultations with northerners).

To be clear: Inuit groups walked away from the process in protest that some groups were not consulted on the changes.

“I was hoping that would occur faster,” Bagnell said of the modifications announced by Ottawa.

The federal Liberals installed a “thorough nomination process and I am proud to say that my team and I met the criteria this summer and I will be nominated as the Liberal candidate for Yukon,” Bagnell added in the statement.

Smith will be hoping for a better result than the Tories’ second-place finish in the 2015 election, which saw Leef draw in 24 per cent of the votes (The NDP’s Melissa Atkinson drew about 19 per cent and Greens’ Frank de Jong just under three per cent.)

Asked if he’s currently now in campaign mode, Bagnell laughed that he’s doing much of the same for now.

“I just carry on doing my job to the best I can, that’s sort of my campaign mode – and let the chips fall where they may.”

No one has publicly emerged for the Greens nor NDP for next year’s election.

Decision day, as it stands currently, is set for Oct. 21 of next year.

Trudeau has already ruled out an early spring election.

Responding to Bagnell’s announcement today, Smith acknowledged Bagnell’s commitment to the territory, but added he believes it’s time for change.

“I think it’s time for a fresh voice,” he said.

As the territory’s next MP, Smith said he would be looking forward to representing the Yukon in Ottawa – as opposed to representing Ottawa in the Yukon.

After being acclaimed as the Yukon’s Conservative candidate in November, Smith said he’s in the midst of an awareness campaign to spread the word of his candidacy.

Since then, he said, he has spoken to many who seem to have an appetite for change in who is representing the territory in Ottawa.

– With a file from Stephanie Waddell

Comments (19)

Up 2 Down 0

Wilbur on Dec 20, 2018 at 9:58 pm

I believe Larry has been voted by his peers as the hardest working MP for his constituents on more than one occasion.

Up 0 Down 0

Groucho d'North on Dec 20, 2018 at 5:27 pm

@Think about it
Anybody who votes Liberal in an effort to save money will be grievously disappointed. Look how deep a hole the Liberals dug in their first three years in office. Our great grandchildren will be paying off that ($664 billion as of today) debt, and where did the money go? Certainly not in Canada, most was sent to 'developing nations' to help their various needs and the all encompassing war on climate change. You're right, pensions are always going to be there but the MP who EARNS their pension is far better than an ineffective one who is just along for the ride and the banquet table.

Up 6 Down 7

think about it on Dec 20, 2018 at 4:29 pm

This "job" probably comes with a lifelong pension. So the more different people hold it over time, I think, the more the taxpayer has to dole out money for this entitlement. Since the incumbent and all the ones before and after him don't really do nor accomplish much for the Yukon, let the guy run with it. He can't do much harm at the photo ops and at the troughs where he shows up with his smiley face.

Up 5 Down 10

Arturs on Dec 19, 2018 at 10:34 pm

Does Larry know that June has withdrawn her support for him? "I have voted for Larry many times in the past. But never again..". She continues with her posturing thinking that she actually makes a difference to how anyone would vote. lol

Up 33 Down 7

jack on Dec 18, 2018 at 4:59 am

Time to change the tires, Larry's not effective in Ottawa and looking run down and tired again, just like last time.

Up 32 Down 6

My Opinion on Dec 17, 2018 at 5:58 pm

Time to retire Larry.

Up 12 Down 16

Put your name forward on Dec 17, 2018 at 5:41 pm

If you don’t like it, put your name forward and run in the election. I know it’s not quite that easy for this election but sitting back and making comments and doing nothing more won’t help with making a change.

Up 7 Down 43

Lynx on Dec 16, 2018 at 10:34 pm

@drum You voted Liberal last election? haha what a joke. Anyone who believes globalism and the UN are a threat to Canada somehow are die hard conservatives. All other people on the political spectrum understand that globalism has been increasing daily since the 1800's and there is nothing you can do to stop the tide. Better to embrace it and help it go smoothly. The other option is to turn into a backwards isolationist country while the rest of the world cooperates and moves ahead economically, militarily and scientifically. Conservatives losing their collective heads about a NON-BINDING agreement on how to deal with increasing immigration around the world is hilarious. Hide your children! The scary black, brown and yellow people are coming!

Up 30 Down 9

Juniper Jackson on Dec 15, 2018 at 1:49 pm

Doh- thank you for printing the quote from Dylan Thomas, I had forgotten him, but at one time was my favorite poet, (didn't, and still don't understand many of his analogies) As to my links.. when I see a topic of interest.. I look it up, read about it, when a number of links say the same thing, I pick the one that says it best to post. I post links because so many people don't like anything I post, and use the forum to attack me rather than the topic.. there are people I don't like either..but every once in a while, they will post something.. brilliant..and I have to stand back and take another look at my own opinion.

Rural resident: I am going on about the calibre of people that are currently leading our country. I do not think graft and corruption are ok.. and I want to vote in people who also don't approve. Gotta watch who people running for election follow... Trudeau dropped clues.. He follows China..He said https://torontosun.com/2013/11/08/trudeau-admires-chinas-basic-dictatorship/wcm/72d62ec4-e0f4-4720-bb18-d998f445630c I wasn't listening..I was thinking 12 years of Harper is enough.. I was ticked about the Murphy issue.. Everyone votes for the person they think will do the best job.. Larry is following the crooked mile.

Up 52 Down 7

Groucho d'North on Dec 15, 2018 at 12:21 pm

I will not be voting for a party hellbent on turning Canada into an annex for the United Nations. That being said I wonder if we will witness an honest campaign from the Liberals on what they will really do if they are re-elected?

Up 46 Down 5

jake on Dec 15, 2018 at 11:18 am

I am and have been a Larry supporter. But do agree his time has passed. He has done a lot to ensure we are not forgotten in Ottawa. But my greatest concern is and has always been, that some day the suitcases of cash will stop flowing. Just a fact of life. Where I feel he has come up short is investments in long term sustainable development, that can succeed without constant influxes of cash from Government. Every time he announces money for projects, ( although I am grateful for the support) I can't help wonder if these are the right investments for the Yukon long term. With the improvements in our infrastructure I.E. Highways what about relooking at investment in a value added product from the most sustainable resource we have - Trees. Every community could benefit from that kind of investment.

Up 14 Down 34

Doh! on Dec 15, 2018 at 9:46 am

Juniper Jackson, has it finally come to this June? You're cutting and pasting links from the Daily Caller? Really?
It says Rage, not Rave...
"Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light"

Up 65 Down 12

Guncache on Dec 14, 2018 at 10:11 pm

If there are cameras and free food Larry is all over it. The liberal party leader is a follower. Letting murdering Isis fighters back into Canada, letting invaders cross into Canada illegally and putting them in hotels forever that we the taxpayer pays for, etc, the list is long

Up 63 Down 14

drum on Dec 14, 2018 at 6:32 pm

Voted for him last time - never again. As long as he is associated with Trudeau he will never get my vote. Trudeau and his honchoies are giving this wonderful country away to the the UN. Trudeau wants to be a globalist. I am a Canadian patriot so I cannot ever vote for this government. No to UN Migrant Agreement giving away our ability to control our own borders.

Up 19 Down 48

Rural Resident on Dec 14, 2018 at 5:51 pm

I like Larry and know he does his best to represent all Yukoners.
Not really sure what Juniper is going on about. I feel uncomfortable when someone shows such strong emotions which seem out of place in a tolerant society.

Up 78 Down 18

Juniper Jackson on Dec 14, 2018 at 4:41 pm

I voted for Larry many times over the years..but never again.. he is long past his 'best by' date. He chose to follow a man with 5 guilty ethic's charges on him, https://globalnews.ca/news/3930242/commentary-the-real-scandal-is-how-justin-trudeaus-four-ethics-violations-carry-no-punishment/
(there are 5 now) https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/bonokoski-top-trudeau-liberals-including-pm-strangers-to-ethics, A leader that says construction workers are more dangerous than the ISIS killers he brought back to Canada https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/30/trudeau-fears-male-workers-on-gender-lens/
It tells me something about people I know who support Trudeau, that they think having a dishonest PM is ok..https://mg.co.za/article/2018-12-06-the-discreet-sham-of-justin-trudeau https://www.thepostmillennial.com/is-justin-trudeaus-political-career-in-a-death-spiral/ that Larry follows Trudeau tells me a lot about him too.
My opinion only..it's good to be interested in politics, and follow a party whose beliefs and goals most line up with your own.. but I would at least try to call a vote of non confidence and put someone in leadership positions that set the bar higher than the average inmate.

Up 80 Down 12

Hugh Mungus on Dec 14, 2018 at 4:28 pm

I think the Libs should put some fresh blood in the next election, not that there is much threat from the other parties but Larry is getting a bit 'punchy' . Time to retire.

Up 85 Down 17

jean on Dec 14, 2018 at 4:18 pm

Didn't get the lifetime Senate seat and now has to go back to pesky elections to keep a seat at the trough.

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