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EMBARKS ON A NEW CAREER – Barbara Dunlop is a former Yukon public servant specializing in business development, and a bestselling romance novelist.
Conservatives move quickly to name their new election hopeful
There’s an interesting cast of characters lining up for a chance to take longtime Liberal MP Larry Bagnell’s chair in the House of Commons.
There’s an interesting cast of characters lining up for a chance to take longtime Liberal MP Larry Bagnell’s chair in the House of Commons.
After turfing Jonas Smith as its candidate for the Sept. 20 election late last week, the Conservative Party has tapped Yukon romance writer Barbara Dunlop to run for office.
“Pat McInroy, president of Yukon’s Conservative Association, is pleased to announce Barbara Dunlop as your Conservative Party of Canada candidate,” the party said in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon.
“Immediately upon the news of our candidate’s removal last week, we began searching for a replacement,” McInroy said.
“Barbara is a highly respected member of the Yukon community and will be an excellent representative for the Yukon in Ottawa.”
Dunlop, the release said, “is a long-time Yukoner, a former Yukon public servant specializing in business development, and a bestselling romance novelist.”
A quick Google search revealed Dunlop has more than 50 books to her name and numerous awards in the industry.
“She raised two children in Whitehorse with her husband, bush pilot Gordon Dunlop.
“Barbara has been active on local school councils and in the arts community, organizing numerous events to expand learning and marketing opportunities for local writers,” the release said.
Dunlop stated: “Yukoners deserve authentic representation in Ottawa, straight talk representing our interests, and optimism for the future.
“I believe the breadth of my experience puts me in a strong position to represent them there. I have put my name forward to advocate for resources that strengthen our quality of life and help us pursue our dreams.”
Dunlop is also a former Yukon Film Commissioner.
She served as the director of Business and Industry Development, and recently retired as director of Policy, Planning and Communications with the territorial Department of Economic Development.
“I look forward to using my experience with the territory’s business community, in the arts community, with Yukon’s education system, and as a parent to connect with Yukoners across the territory over the coming weeks,” Dunlop said.
“I believe together we can move forward and strengthen Yukon for a bright future.”
Smith, meanwhile, is running as an independent candidate after narrowly losing to Bagnell as the Conservative candidate in the 2019 election.
Bagnell announced Aug. 5 he is retiring from politics.
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Comments (41)
Up 15 Down 1
Still no official reason from Conservatives on Aug 24, 2021 at 4:52 pm
The only thing the PC party has said about Jonas is "In an email, the party says Smith "is no longer our candidate after several discussions about his unwillingness to support public health guidelines." It was Jonas who said the disagreement was over vaccine passports and mandated vaccinations. I'd still like to know if there was more to it, especially since the official PC platform seems to say the same as what Jonas was saying.
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Well, Observer, maybe you're right on Aug 24, 2021 at 4:26 pm
From Lordy - People are entitled to their opinions of course - but the old 'if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all' is in short supply these days. I'm all for rousing debate, healthy arguments etc etc .... But the name-calling, snide remarks, and unfair criticism of people who run for office is over the line (my opinion).
Up 2 Down 11
john on Aug 24, 2021 at 2:51 pm
Lenore is the only choice.
Up 8 Down 1
My Opinion on Aug 24, 2021 at 12:45 pm
@ Evil Civil
I don't think that is what it is about. What people are mad about is the way it was done, and the fact that it was done. Especially when Erin O'toole has said exactly the same things about forced Vaccine and Vaccine Passports. That is concerning. Besides when candidates come to the door and I ask them where they stand on certain issues I like to think I can trust what they say, and that they are not going to be whipped into following the party line. That goes for all Party's.
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drum on Aug 23, 2021 at 7:53 pm
I do not care if O'Toole has split the Conservative vote in the Yukon. Which he has. He has proved he does not even know anything about us and does not care. I am a Conservative and have always voted that way but not this time - Jonas has my vote.
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Observer on Aug 23, 2021 at 7:04 pm
@ Lordy, it is the same small group of people that continue to hate pretty much everything. LGBQ, First Nations, Liberals, NDP, Greens, environmentalists are all on their hit list. They hate on anything that is progressive, has anything to do with equality and fairness, balancing the environment and economy.
So to answer your question, yes they have been on this site for some time now.
Up 38 Down 12
Lordy, the comments on Aug 21, 2021 at 9:27 am
When did we Yukoners become such a hateful bunch? Or were we always this way, and the past 18 months has pulled back the curtain? C'mon folks - anyone who steps forward to run in an election these days deserves at least a bit of courtesy and respect.
Up 34 Down 14
Evil Civil Servant on Aug 20, 2021 at 11:22 pm
Interesting that a lot of Jonas supporters here are bashing Barb for having a career in the civil service. Let me ask you people this, who did you vote for in the territorial election? I'm guessing it wasn't the Liberals or NDP.
So now ask yourself where Yukon Party leader Currie Dixon has spent most of his working years. I'll help, he was some kind of advisor or policy wonk in YTG for Dennis Fentie, then he was elected so spent 5 years at the trough as a minister. Then he went to work in the department of Economic Development, and then for a brief stint, he was given a job in the private sector by a high school buddy so he could put 'private sector' on his resume. Now of course he is an MLA and back at the trough again. He will soon have a lifelong pension before he even hits 40 years old! So tell me again why Barb is so horrible because she was a govt worker but Currie is so great for doing the same bloody thing?
Up 17 Down 0
Dan Davidson on Aug 20, 2021 at 9:11 pm
To HUH: Actually, it seems there are three women running against one man.
Up 27 Down 9
Antigonish on Aug 20, 2021 at 5:53 pm
Wilf, Jonas has the same views as Otoole on the public safety issues, so ask yourself this (and it may be difficult for you but) why do you think Jonas was dropped like a hot potato?
Some one isn’t telling the true story here. The real story will come out in the coming days.
Up 9 Down 18
bonanzajoe on Aug 20, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Wilf Carter: The man who stabbed Jonas in the back was the very one he voted for leader of the Conservative Party - Erin O'Toole. That should tell every conservative what O'Toole's political ideology is - "Light Liberal".
Up 20 Down 11
John on Aug 20, 2021 at 4:25 pm
@common sense
Sorry chum. The sands of time have run out in the hourglass. If "Barbara" had been astute enough she would not have thrown her princess crown into the ring. Her real chance was to agree with Jonas and the wrong done to him by National.
Up 18 Down 11
Bill on Aug 20, 2021 at 4:18 pm
@rational thot
I think you "thot"wrong. You seemed to forget who was nominated by the membership in July. Me thinks it was not Barbara, hm.
Any guess who? That is right, Jonas.
The last thing we need is someone on the backbenches with little to do. However, should she win then it will be a great time for her to write some more them thar romance novels.
Up 36 Down 23
Rational Thot on Aug 20, 2021 at 3:30 pm
Folks, voting for Jonas Jonas Smith is foolish. To all of you who say that if elected, he won’t have to vote within party lines: as an independent, he won’t have a voice. Your best bet is voting for the party you think will win, which will mean a voice for Yukoners might have a chance at securing more funding. Don’t forget, our little territory has a fairy tale economy supplied by the southern taxpayers you ironically hate so much.
Up 34 Down 22
Wilf Carter on Aug 20, 2021 at 1:43 pm
Conservatives have made a big mistake putting this person up for a candidate. I wonder who stabbed Jones in the back in the party???
Up 19 Down 24
comen sense on Aug 20, 2021 at 1:05 pm
So now what do we do ( OYA ) time is running out. Give Barbara a chance - she is all we got. Please.
Up 41 Down 18
Oya on Aug 20, 2021 at 11:49 am
This woman thinks extremely highly of herself. I do not share the same thoughts. Not even close.
I worked "with" her for awhile at YG. The only reason she ever got to be a director in Gov was because of her political associations when the Cons were in power. I support Currie's lack of endorsement, because really.... wouldn't a vote for Barb just be a vote for the old boys' club?
She hasn't got a clue about Yukoners except for those with cushy government jobs; didn't have business experience yet got the Director of Business Development job somehow... and now here she is wanting to represent Yukoners in Ottawa.
She is a successful romance novelist. I believe that is the sector she belongs in.
Sorry, Barb, I would never vote for you. Your ego is way too big for my liking.
Up 33 Down 14
Yukoner ‘71 on Aug 20, 2021 at 6:56 am
Well Dog Man, you certainly have your alias correct because blind canine loyalty perfectly describes how Liberals act towards that party and leader. At least Conservatives have the brass to call BS on their party when it royally s—— up like it did in the Yukon riding last week.
Up 34 Down 6
Salt on Aug 19, 2021 at 11:39 pm
I wish this election actually mattered. Like the USA we now get to choose between Coke and Pepsi and pretend we are free. Fundamentally humans will never change. The social pendulum just swings to an fro and like little false gods we believe it is our doing.
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JSM on Aug 19, 2021 at 4:21 pm
Has anyone asked her if she is a church goer? It is going to take a lot to persuade me off of the Jonas vote.
Up 19 Down 61
Ralph on Aug 19, 2021 at 3:41 pm
I am voting for Lenore, the only sensible choice, educated, experienced and integrity. No one else comes close.
Up 36 Down 59
TrueBlue on Aug 19, 2021 at 11:49 am
I think Barb is a great candidate and represents a return to sanity for the conservative party here in Yukon. Even before he was given the boot, Jonas was becoming a fringe candidate who railed about nationalism, said residential schools were just an 'imperfection' Then the final straw for me was when he positioned himself as the anti-vaxx candidate by saying healthcare workers, long term care workers etc should not have to be vaccinated. Plus people travelling should not be required to get tested. All you can do is shake your head. His complete lack of education really started to show.
Now compare that to Barb who is well educated, well spoken, is a team player within the conservative party....well there is no comparison. Any rational person should see Barb as the best choice especially to beat Hanley.
Also, it was really annoying to hear Currie on the radio today refusing to endorse her. By failing to endorse the conservative candidate he has tacitly endorsed Jonas. Ask yourself this Currie, is it politically smart in Yukon to ally yourself with the uneducated, anti-vaxx candidate? Also, are you muzzling all the Yukon Party MLAs? Because I haven't heard from any of them and usually they are out supporting our local conservative candidate! Please reconsider your decisions as they could come back to haunt you in the next territorial election.
Up 53 Down 37
No winners here on Aug 19, 2021 at 9:05 am
I don't think I will vote this election. We're all losers this time around. Welcome to the dictatorship of Canada. Making "mandatory vaccines or else" is not a country I am proud of and seems that is the way of the party leaders.
Shame on Canada
Up 46 Down 16
Lou on Aug 19, 2021 at 8:57 am
Good for her to get out there and represent.
That said, sorry but knowing a few government directors in this town, you basically did nothing except musical chairs from one department to another either incompetence or for cushier digs and perk. Sure you had a lot of meetings playing the role of decision maker but in the end doing nothing because the real decision maker is the Deputy Minister (Ministers are tokens. I'm mean look at them most of them know nothing about their departments).
As you did as a director, you will do as an MP. You will tow the party line and do as your told. (Psst this is why Jonas is an independent).
We don't believe the pap you're spewing at all and if you do, you are either naive or absolute clueless and frankly not the person I want as an MP. Truth is the CONS are rolling the dice, not the candidate they want, just the candidate they got.
Up 38 Down 40
Dog Man on Aug 19, 2021 at 8:34 am
She seems like a nice lady. Best of luck Barb.
On another note, I feel such delicious joy watching these nutjob conservative online trolls eat one another...
I say this with complete sincerity, from the very bottom of my heart, you all deserve each other.
Up 60 Down 8
Dave on Aug 19, 2021 at 8:31 am
The Conservative Party just nuked their opportunity to possible win Yukon away from the Liberals who themselves showed possible weakness going into the election. It has nothing to do with this new candidate as the PCs ineptly blundered how they handled Mr. Smiths on again off again nomination and that reeks of amateurism on the Conservative parties part. Someone’s head should be on the chopping block at the national PC campaign managers office over this! Just when the Conservatives had an outside chance they handed the Yukon riding back to the Libs on a silver platter.
Up 35 Down 28
Debra on Aug 19, 2021 at 8:24 am
I encourage you that come the first of September you will realize Barbara that your chances of winning are at best a dismal 3rd or 4th and will quit the race. This will ensure a solid victory for Jonas who was overwhelming the candidate of choice in the nomination process. This mess is entirely the fault of National but gets to be played out here. Why do I suggest the 1st ? The deadline for candidate registration is the 30th, which means that no candidate after that date can register to be on the ballot.
Up 7 Down 34
Feet of flames on Aug 18, 2021 at 9:30 pm
Well... let’s hope she brings that fierceness ex-gov workers bring to the table... they know the system well...inside and out. My worst clients are retired government employees.... the most ferocious, fight to the death, throw down the gauntlet, ...they really bring that dramatic element to the table...while they watch you dance on flames and burning hot coals. Really gets the blood going. Wishing you all the best. If she had of been to prison, I still would vote for her.
Up 41 Down 9
Matthew on Aug 18, 2021 at 7:54 pm
What the.. we don't need a damn author for an MP! We need someone who knows the state of emergency we are in, someone who knows what social media is, a budget and how to maintain it! This must be a joke, surely..
Up 36 Down 11
JustSayin' on Aug 18, 2021 at 7:29 pm
Well with Smith and Dunlop splitting the votes.. Hanley will win for sure. Frickk
Up 16 Down 29
ProScience Greenie on Aug 18, 2021 at 7:15 pm
Progressive / Red Tories are now left center? Hard to believe you Trumpian Reformer fans of Jonas and his hair can move any further to the right but each day you manage to do just that. It would be laughable except there is nothing funny about the ProFa far right. Thankfully the reality is that the vast majority of Canadians are center left/right and will not tolerate the bad Q-craziness coming from the loud but minority RWNJ crowd.
Up 33 Down 11
Sheepchaser on Aug 18, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Have to admire the bravery here. Impressive to step up like this. Respect.
Up 35 Down 19
drum on Aug 18, 2021 at 5:58 pm
The Liberals will be a shoe in because now the Conservative vote is split. Jonas will get my vote for sure. I have always voted Conservative - but not this time after what they did to our strong Conservative candidate. Ottawa again has shown they do not know what they are doing - no matter what party they represent. This is the Yukon. Does Ottawa even now where we are in Canada?
Up 20 Down 42
Olav on Aug 18, 2021 at 5:39 pm
Boy, it is obvious from the comments that the Liberals feel threatened by Barb.
At least a 1/2 dozen phony comments trying to get the vote split.
Unfortunately, I think that is exactly what will happen.
I encourage everyone to support Barbara. Jonas is dead in the water!
Up 33 Down 9
Nathan Living on Aug 18, 2021 at 4:28 pm
Thank you for putting your name forward, good luck.
Up 56 Down 81
Thomas Brewer on Aug 18, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Likely the best candidate to 1) beat Hanley and 2) have a voice in Ottawa, especially when the Liberals are punished for pulling an election stunt that is only self serving.
Good luck, you have my vote.
Up 87 Down 51
JSM on Aug 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Seems like a weak candidate in comparison to Smith. Yawn, Guess I will be voting independent instead of the blue this year. Shame that means Hanley's Henchmen with run away with the election likely. Sick and tired of voting for public servants who only have the government and not their constituents in mind.
Funny how this article details all her romance books and not her platform.
Up 54 Down 56
Bill on Aug 18, 2021 at 3:40 pm
Sounds to me Barbara you are left of centre. Right in the same ball park has wealthy Hanley. Of course with 80,000 dollar taxpayer pension you are likely nearing that mark of Hanley as well. Two peas in a pod representing the LibCon party, or is it the ConLib party ? I will let you decide.
Up 83 Down 50
John on Aug 18, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Sorry Barbara but your experience comes from a government job to the business community. Please don't sell us that you were "connected" to the business side of things. You were a puppet to the political masters of the day and did what you were told to do. I am also sure you were told to make sure that nothing negative landed on the Minister's desk from your office. I can hear it now - "Yes sir, three bags full sir...will do sir..."
Up 84 Down 53
TMYK on Aug 18, 2021 at 2:55 pm
She's a solid candidate. I'm going for Jonas Smith though. The fact that he is an independent means he will be able to better represent Yukoners and not be forced to vote along party lines.
Up 52 Down 48
Bob Nevin on Aug 18, 2021 at 2:55 pm
HUH ?
The Conservative Party of Canada has chosen a FEMALE candidate
for The Yukon ???!!!
GASP !!!!!!!