The Yukon New Democratic Party is debt-free following the past weekend's annual convention.

"It's a nice starting point,” party leader Liz Hansonsaid this morning, as the party gears up for a concerted fund-raising effort with the next general election in mind. It's expected in 2016, when the current government's five-year mandate will expire.

Going into the convention, the party had a $5,000 debt left over from the 2011 election campaign.

This was Hanson's third convention as party leader.

"It's nice to be in a situation where we're not coming out of an election and we've had a chance to see how this government's operated over the last 20 months and see where we see the disconnect. It's a bit more of a reflective opportunity and focusing towards the next election,” said Hanson.

"We have a party that's focused on forming government, and that's our objective over the next couple of years.”

The weekend's event featured good conversation and debate, said Hanson, highlighting two key resolutions.

First, with the government's water strategy consultations underway, party members wanted to ensure the water policy passed at last year's NDP convention featured prominently in the NDP submission on the strategy.

Hanson said the party wants to ensure water is viewed as a human right and that ecosystems are protected.

Convention participants also urged the NDP to bring forward legislation to protect tenants from evictions without cause and to regulate rent increases, two areas the party has continually said the government missed with its recently enacted Landlord and Tenant Act.

Hanson did note there was wide agreement that the act included many good aspects.

The party also elected a new vice-president of organization, Josh Regnier.

Skeeter Miller-Wright remains president and Louis-Roch Gagnon is the vice-president of policy.

Hanson said Regnier brings an important community organization perspective to the position and great ideas for engaging various demographics.

Charlie Angus, the NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay, a northern-Ontario riding, gave the keynote address at the convention.

His speech provided a good focal point for the event because of parallels between federal and territorial issues, said Hanson, particularly as they relate to "ethics, the environment, and the economy.”

Discussions covered a range of topics from concerns about a trend toward muzzling public servants, to issues with project management and the need for a diversified economy.

There was talk about "what the impasse around the Peel says about certainty and creating a climate for investment in a territory that's already getting signs that the mineral sector is weakening,” said Hanson.

"So we should be looking at a diversified economy, and tourism is one of those sectors that could be really strong.”

Hanson said there was a good turnout at the convention, held this year at The Old Fire Hall.

The mix featured more than 80 participants, including new people and longtime party supporters, young and old alike.