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Brad Cathers
Cathers to seek another term in next election
Brad Cathers, the longtime Yukon Party MLA for Lake Laberge, is once again seeking the Yukon Party nomination as the candidate for Lake Laberge for the next territorial election.
Brad Cathers, the longtime Yukon Party MLA for Lake Laberge, is once again seeking the Yukon Party nomination as the candidate for Lake Laberge for the next territorial election.
“My track record of success is due to listening to Yukoners, and working hard on their behalf,” the 43-year-old Cathers said today.
“What I have heard is that Yukoners value a strong, diversified economy, the peace and beauty of the wilderness, quality health care, a good education system, an effective social safety net, and infrastructure that meets the needs of our homes and communities – and I share those values.”
First elected in 2002, Cathers has been re-elected three times, gaining the support of more voters in every election in the last 10 years.
In 2016, he received 558 votes, the fourth-highest number of votes of any candidate in the entire Yukon.
“I have worked hard for my constituents and all Yukoners, and I am proud of my record for delivering results,” said Cathers.
“I look forward to seeking a renewed mandate from my constituents, and working with my colleagues to win public confidence and form a Yukon Party majority government.
In 2009, Cathers left the governing caucus to sit as an independent after it was learned that then-premier Dennis Fentie was exploring the possible sale of the Yukon Energy Corp. to the private sector.
Cathers rejoined the caucus two years later after Darrell Pasloski formed a majority government.
Cathers was an unsuccessful candidate for the Yukon Party’s leadership, which Currie Dixon won in May.
“People want a government of action that will listen to them, and work with them to ensure the future is bright for all Yukoners,” Cathers said.
His family moved to the Yukon when he was two years old, and to the wilderness on the east side of Lake Laberge when he was six.
His family home at Lake Laberge has no road access, and he grew up with a wilderness lifestyle, including hauling water by hand in buckets from a creek, cutting firewood, hiking, canoeing, boating, and dog mushing.
Before being elected as an MLA, he worked in the private sector and was part-owner of a wilderness tourism business. His experience in government includes serving in cabinet, in a variety of portfolios, for 8 ½ years.
The next election must be held by late 2021.
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Comments (13)
Up 3 Down 4
Paul W. on Sep 18, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Brad should have another chance for a term because he was treated really poorly at the convention.
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TheHammer on Sep 18, 2020 at 4:57 pm
Moose@ The WCB is a Crown Corporation with laws and legislation, you break those laws and it's jail time plus a fine. When the law breaker is the chairman of the board and your best buddy, not to raise the issue as an independent in the legislature, claiming to do so would be like 'blowing hot air through my nose,' is to be complicit. This is not about not liking socialism, its about an absence of moral backbone.
Up 13 Down 10
Moose on Sep 17, 2020 at 8:10 pm
@TheHammer
Of course Cathers doesn't care about a social safety net. The 'Yukon Party' is just the local conservative party trying to hide its stripes. Just like all true conservatives they dislike any form of socialism....public healthcare, public education, funding for the Arts...you name it. Their only concern is cutting taxes and getting rid of regulations (especially environmental protections). The proof is that they elected Currie Dixon, master of the disastrous Peel Plan to be their leader! At the ripe old age of 33 nonetheless.
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drum on Sep 17, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Wonderful - he has been so there for all his constituents from the beginning. He really cares. He will fight for his people to the end.
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TheHammer on Sep 16, 2020 at 11:17 pm
'Listening to Yukoners'. But totally deaf to injured workers when Minister for WCB.
And as far as the social safety net goes, turning a blind eye to WCB illegal policy putting injured workers pensions into the hands of private insurance companies. The mask hides the usual dark side of political power.
Up 16 Down 10
woodcutter on Sep 16, 2020 at 2:57 pm
Figures, it's not like he developed any useful skills, but one, over his 43 years, should have stuck to the woodcutting, at least there is a marketable skill, however there is no pension indexed to inflation.
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Oldtimer. on Sep 16, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Brad's been bellied up to the trough far too long. He needs to step aside and let some fresh blood and ideas in. A decent Lib candidate out there would easily unseat him in the next election.
Up 12 Down 18
Jack C. on Sep 15, 2020 at 6:01 pm
I can't see how Curry was picked over Brad. Brad seemed to have all his ducks in line and was there for the duration. I would be somewhat bitter.
Is there a picture of Mr. Livingstone's girlfriend?
Up 4 Down 9
Cyborg on Sep 15, 2020 at 10:44 am
Hello fellow humans - Brad Cathers, probably.
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Groucho d'North on Sep 15, 2020 at 9:57 am
Mr. Cathers has been my MLA since he was first elected, with the short break when the NDP's Doug Livingstone had the job, but he decided to abandon we constituents in favour of his girlfriend at the time.
Mr. Cathers works hard for us in the Lebarge riding, he ensures we are aware of the work underway in government and what may affect us here.
The part most of us remember is when he quit the YP caucus to sit as an independent due to the Fentie/Atco issue. I wish more elected people demonstrated the same degree of principled character, compassion and integrity that Brad does all the time.
Up 21 Down 22
EJ on Sep 15, 2020 at 12:03 am
@Ginger Johnson
What leadership? Tell me just one major thing Dixon stands for. He ran his leadership campaign like a high school popularity contest. "Look I'm the cool young guy who might invite you to a keg party if you vote for me!"
Cathers actually put forward a plethora of actual policies and positions he would take if elected. Currie put NOTHING forward and still won. Still hasn't taken a position on anything for that matter. Really speaks to the IQ of the "Yukon" party membership doesn't it? Electing a guy to be leader based on literally nothing while kicking Cathers who had a real platform (and over a decade experience) off to the side. I for one won't feel bad if the Yukon Party gets trounced in the election. You reap what you sow my friends.
Up 37 Down 37
Ginger Johnson on Sep 14, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Dixon needs to get rid of Cathers.
Log Cabin Brad will do nothing but undermine Dixon's leadership if he's reelected.
Up 48 Down 34
Bob Ablanalp on Sep 14, 2020 at 3:39 pm
YAWN - a mediocre career politician that should have moved on after losing to Dixon wants to hold onto his nice pay cheque.
Colour me NOT surprised.