Ed. note: this is an analysis of the Yukon Party’s leader and campaign.

Currie Dixon is one thoroughly modern conservative.

Dixon is the fairly new leader of the Yukon Party, guiding his party into his first election with seemingly a decent chance to win amongst the log-jam of parties.

He seemingly has a lot going for him in this image-based society. At 35, he’s young, but with years of political experience.

He’s a Yukoner born and raised, which is still an important factor to some voters. He’s been called handsome, but not so handsome as to be intimidating.

He has a young family that could be hired to star in a commercial.

He’s educated, with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He’s quite capable of being charming in a somewhat low-key fashion.

He’s also as articulate as anyone on the current political scene in the Yukon.

In short, superficially, he’s the complete package for a contemporary politician, but that begs the question: What makes Currie Dixon tick?

Let’s try to find out.

“I think my extensive experience as an MLA and in the private sector works in my favour,” Dixon said.

“Yukoners are ready for fresh ideas and new ways of approaching issues. Take for example the issue of First Nations graduation rates.

“Government after government has been unable to fix this – so trying the same old thing is not going to work. I am ready to bring these new ideas to table and with our team’s diverse experience, we will finally be able to deliver action for Yukoners.”

One thing is certain. He’s seemingly intent on pulling the Yukon Party further into the centre than it’s generally comfortable with, but said he doesn’t like terms such as “Red Tory”.

As a student of political science – he has the two degrees in the subject – he insisted that’s a term traditionally reserved for federal politics.

“The Yukon Party has its own identity,” Dixon declared. “That’s the way I want to keep it.”

Still, since the term fits, whether he likes it or not, and it should be acknowledged, a Red Tory is a left-leaning Conservative; one who is not quite a Liberal but is closer to the centre of the political spectrum than most colleagues.

Sometimes it’s used as a pejorative amongst more traditional Conservatives, but often it’s a salute to the Progressive roots of the former Progressive Conservative Party.

Even the party’s slogan for this territorial election – “Action for a Change” – more than hints at where Dixon’s mind is at. That’s the kind of call to battle you might expect more from Liberals or even the NDP.

It’s been an entertainingly ironic part of the campaign that in some ways the Liberals and the Yukon Party have exchanged roles.

The Liberals explicitly they say they want to run on their track record and look to their past accomplishments for their inspiration while the Yukon Party is ostensibly looking to a change-filled future.

“The party has needed a bit more progressive approach in some ways,” Dixon told the Star. “We’ve needed more forward-looking thought.”

Perhaps it was inevitable that Dixon would straddle that line.

He told the Star his mother was a Liberal supporter while his father was a staunch Conservative.

Interestingly, one of those areas he’s made a prime part of his election platform is in trying to salvage the Yukon Party’s somewhat tenuous relationship with the territory’s First Nations.

During a leaders’ forum last week, Dixon readily admitted he had messed up the file on developing the Peel River basin during his first term in office.

It’s likely the first time that’s been heard publicly.

His interest in the First Nations is thanks to a deep dive in First Nations governments while finishing his master’s degree in political science at the University of Northern British Columbia.

He’s planning on tapping into that background and expertise should he and the party win.

So, Mr. Dixon, why else do you think you would be a good premier?

“We have put together a great team that Yukoners can trust to lead the territory out of the pandemic and into a prosperous future,” he said.

“We have a bold action plan to support the economic recovery and make life more affordable for Yukoners and their families. Our team’s mix of experience in government and in the private sector mean that we will be ready to take action starting on day one.

“As a former cabinet minister, a member of the private sector myself, and a parent raising a young family, I bring a lot of perspectives that I think would work well in providing Yukoners with responsible leadership.”

A slightly different version of the question had Dixon expanding on why he wants to be the Yukon premier.

“This is my home. This is my family and friends’ home. Yukoners are resilient people. I want to help the territory recover from the pandemic and put the Yukon on the right path to a prosperous future.”

As a prospective territorial leader at a young age with a young family, Dixon already has a sense of what he is getting into thanks to his former life as an MLA and cabinet minister.

“I could not do this without my family, and especially my wife, Brittany. They have been so supportive of my political career from when I was MLA from 2011 to 2015, through gaining the Yukon Party leadership, and now the election campaign.

“It is important to make that family time so you can be with your kids and watch them grow. No matter how stressful or tough the job is, going home and reading a book to your son or watching your daughter learn a new word makes you realize how lucky we are to live here.

“That’s my motivation and my inspiration. They are so incredible and supportive, and I would not be where I am today without their love and support.”

Less than a year into his tenure as leader, Dixon says he has travelled around the territory trying to get a feeling for what the public wants out of its government.

“I have travelled all over the territory and met with thousands of Yukoners to listen directly to them about their ideas for the future of the territory. Their input, their ideas, their concerns have directly helped develop our action plan.

We are a grassroots party and a lot of our ideas such as our bold ideas to improve our education system, taking decisive action on climate change, and bringing in truly universal child care come directly from the membership.

“We also have a solid Yukon Party team that have a variety of backgrounds and experiences that bring a lot of life experience to the table.

“I’ve made it my goal to lead and shape a party that includes and stands up for all Yukoners. I’m proud of what we have accomplished so far and will keep doing my part to advocate for a Yukon where everyone feels welcome.”