About 75 people gathered at the Gold Rush Inn Tuesday evening to hear candidates from four of the major parties discuss their platform for supporting Yukoners with disabilities.

The event was hosted by the Child Development Centre, Learning Disabilities Association of the Yukon, People First Society of the Yukon, Yukon Association for Community Living, Yukon Childcare Association and the Yukon Council on Disabilities.

Former minister of Health and Social Services, Lake Laberge MLA Brad Cathers, represented the Yukon Party, Kristina Calhoun represented the Green Party, Jan Stick was there for the NDP and Dan Curtis attended on behalf of the Liberal party.

All four candidates expressed an interest in extending support for non-government organizations supporting people with disabilities.

"The role of NGOs is key to the Yukon and our success and without partnering with NGOs and non-profits and offering them the tools and resources they need, we are not going to be successful,” said Curtis.

Cathers called NGOs "key partners in government” and discussed his party's family-centred focus, which would fund programs that support individuals and families of people with disabilities.

Calhoun and Stick would work toward collaboration with NGOs, utilizing their front line experience to help determine government policy for serving people with disabilities.

Another key issue was reducing waiting periods for access to service for early intervention treatment for children with disabilities.

All parties stated that they recognized the importance of access to treatment and both the Liberal and Green parties support decreasing wait times and would increase services to children. The Yukon Party would increase funding to the Childhood Development Centre, while the NDP would begin a consultation process with the society and government agencies to strengthen existing programs for early childhood development.

Providing lifelong support for individuals with learning disabilities was also a major issue.

"We have already taken a number of steps in this area,” said Cathers. "It is clear that more needs to be done, including integrating the supports provided by different levels of government and working to reduce silos or a need to reapply for services, including application process.”

The NDP, said Stick, would work on a more collaborative service model, alongside local NGOs "so that people no longer fall through the cracks,” though the party did not provide exact figures of what services or budget increases they may provide.

Calhoun agreed with support in all stages of life and would extend financial support to programs that "allow people to live independently” and would support initiatives that allow people to live an autonomous life.

Curtis said the Yukon Liberal Party would work with various government departments and NGOs to streamline services. "There will be bumps in the road,” he said. "But if we work collectively and collaboratively, we can move mountains.”

A unique suggestion came from the Green Party.

Calhoun favoured an "advocate program,” whereby parents of children with disabilities would be given access to a worker, who could help navigate the process of applying for services and provide referrals. The advocate program would be non-governmental, with support from the territorial government, she said.

Stick said the NDP would consider such an option, while Cathers said he would "not close the door” on the issue.

Both the Yukon Party and Liberals felt the money spent on an advocate may be better spent in increased funding to NGOs.

After the debate, the parties were given the opportunity to discuss issues of concern with the audience, including increasing subsidies for people with disabilities and providing further housing options for homeless people with disabilities and addictions.