Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Dan Davidson

Sandy Silver, Libeal leader, speaks in Dawson City outside his campaign office this evening after the election.

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Photo by Tim Giilck

Currie Dixon speaks to his supporters at the Yukon Party election party after the election.

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Photo by John Tonin

Kate White, NDP leader, speaks at the Guild Hall after the election results.

Election Undecided pending recount

This could only be called an inconclusive result to an odd campaign.

By Tim Giilck on April 13, 2021

This could only be called an inconclusive result to an odd campaign.

Yukon voters were left in limbo Monday evening as there was no clear winner in sight after hours of vote counting.

A tie in the Vuntut Gwitchen riding was the fly in the ointment leaving the Liberals elected in eight ridings. The Yukon Party had control of eight seats, and the Yukon NDP had two.

That left the Liberals one spot short of a majority government and the Yukon Party one short of tying the Liberals for a chance at a minority government.

The NDP are left as potential kingmakers in the jumbled results.

The Yukon Party raked in nearly 40 per cent of the votes, significantly ahead of the Liberals and their 33 per cent.

Their support, though broad-based, was too diffuse to capture a large number of ridings, while the Liberals concentrated support nearly took the day.

The Yukon party made history with the first election of a Filipino member with Yvonne Clarke wrestling away Porter Creek Centre from the Liberals.

Party Leader Currie Dixon also won comfortably, ousting Liberal MLA Ted Adel.

All of the leaders sounded unhappy with the result of the election.

A recount will need to be conducted in the Vuntut Gwitchen riding where Pauline Frost of the Liberals and Annie Blake of the NDP were running, possibly followed by a judicial recount and drawing of lots if necessary.

Dixon spoke of the highly unusual outcome of the election.

“It’s a very interesting decision tonight. We know the almost 40 per cent of Yukoners voted for the Yukon Party tonight. That’s an almost overwhelming number.

All six of our incumbents we’re re-elected with the considerable confidence of electors. Of course there is a bit of uncertainty remaining. What we do know is in spite of the overwhelming support of the public. But the seat count did not go in our favour, and my understanding of parliamentary procedure is the Liberals will have the first opportunity to form government. Until we see the results of the tie-breaker in Vuntut Gwitchen, it’s a very difficult situation.``

Dixon congratulated Liberal Leader Sandy Silver on that opportunity, but he made it clear the Yukon Party will continue to press on its campaign promises to make life more affordable for Yukoners and to fight for the private sector and communities.

NDP leader Kate White made her way to the podium at the NDP election headquarters at the Guild Hall shortly before 11 p.m.

During the concession speech, White said it was not the result they were hoping for, but that she was grateful for all the votes Yukoners cast for the NDP.

"Even these results are not what we hoped for, so many Yukoners voted for the NDP," said White. "I want to thank you and tell you that we have your back."

White secured her riding of Takhini-Kopper King while Emily Tredger took the Whitehorse Centre riding previously held by Liz Hanson.

Based on the votes of tonight, White said it's clear Yukoners voted to have government work together.

"They have clearly told us what we need to do is work together to get things done," said White. "That is exactly what we are going to do.

"I'd like to congratulate my opponents, Sandy and Currie, it's been an honour to run alongside you on this campaign. I look forward to working with you in the coming days and weeks to plot out a path, as Yukoners have asked us to."

What the vote does tell White, is that Yukoners are looking for a better deal.

"Tonight, thousands of people voted for a better deal than what they've been getting," said White. "They voted to shake things up, reject the old ways of doing things, and voted to shepherd in a new normal."

White said the NDP will work with the other parties to ensure people are at the heart of every decision the government makes.

Comments (27)

Up 5 Down 5

TheHammer on Apr 15, 2021 at 8:07 pm

Yukon, born and bred@ The 'old normal' I remember when the majority of Yukoners were of British descent back in the days of an 18000 population.

Up 12 Down 5

Recount? on Apr 15, 2021 at 5:57 am

Don't forget Teslin that flipped with no specific mention by CBC north I might add just before the polls closed.
Mysteriously, magically, silently.

Up 6 Down 9

What Happened? on Apr 15, 2021 at 5:25 am

I just got back from the trap-line and was trying to find out if the Liberals got curbed and booted from office like the majority of this outlets patrons had staked their beliefs in. It looks as though there was another right wing failure and the Libs will be forming the government again.
Being a political pundit must be extremely frustrating. I suggest Yoga.
The thing is the Conservatives can't make up any ground nationally on the Liberals either.
Ah, springtime in the Yukon, the swans are back and so are the Liberals.

Up 7 Down 14

Woodcutter on Apr 14, 2021 at 6:56 pm

Oh yes politico, observations you are daring to speak out loud is gonna get the contacts all fired up and start speaking about election reform. The have finally broke past the 33% threshold and now beat their chest crying that they should be the rulers, even tho they got that extra 7% of the vote count from three ridings.

Then space cadet says cause they had the most votes in the federal election they should also rule..lol imagine being so obtuse that they don't understand the election process in Canada. We immigrants had to learn how the canadian government is elected before we get our citizenship, too bad the children of the old stock canadian don't also learn how things work.

However on the bright side, we also get too see how when an election is lost, the cons right away want the election maps redrawn, change rules to create an advantage for themselves and live in denial. The adult thing would be to say the voters have spoken, but instead you get crying and sniveling.

Up 12 Down 24

Politico on Apr 14, 2021 at 11:02 am

It's amazing how many CONservative are willing to bypass Democracy and the laws of the Yukon and Canada because they believe their way is the only way to the light! @drum The YP has consistently opposed any change to the FPTP voting system. If they had endorsed the change they would be the government but they backed the current system and are therefore in 2nd place. Karma sucks doesn't it. I've also noticed that, as the Trumpers do in the states, how easily they are willing to subvert the rules to get in power or even erase voters who they believe stand in their way. Sad!

Up 10 Down 6

JustSayin' on Apr 14, 2021 at 10:00 am

@ Bob Folster
In 2016, 60.4% percent would rather have worked with the other parties than Sleepy Sandy. Durrrr. It is not representative either is the analysis completed below.

Up 16 Down 5

Groucho d'North on Apr 14, 2021 at 8:52 am

I foresee another round of debate on electoral boundaries coming up. Perhaps with the new balance of power there might be an all party committee this time?

Up 36 Down 10

And this is why people argue for STV on Apr 13, 2021 at 4:27 pm

You wonder why the Liberals made the huge promise that they would enact it and now have backed off of it federally --- this is why.
Liberals would fall hard in a proper proportional system.

Up 40 Down 14

drum on Apr 13, 2021 at 3:42 pm

I agree with John - most votes went to YP therefore they should form the next Government in the Yukon Territory.

Up 44 Down 13

Mike on Apr 13, 2021 at 1:29 pm

@captainobvious
The only thing this election proved is that the liberals bought and paid for every vote they got and it sickens me to think that even though more Yukon residents voted YP the liberals get to make a government - it's a joke.

Up 16 Down 39

ProScience Greenie on Apr 13, 2021 at 1:24 pm

Cool, the majority of Yukon voters do not support right-wing politics.

Up 21 Down 6

Richard Ablanalp on Apr 13, 2021 at 12:30 pm

Anyone else waiting for Wilf Carter's comments about Dan Curtis's
results ? (GRIN)

Up 14 Down 43

Bob Folster on Apr 13, 2021 at 12:22 pm

john on Apr 13, 2021 at 11:27 am

HA HA HA HA !
61% of Yukoners voted for parties not led by Rape the Peel Dixon.

Up 23 Down 4

NeilAlexGeddy on Apr 13, 2021 at 12:21 pm

@Analysis on Apr 13, 2021 at 5:03 am
"Strong endorsement of a move back to the centre for Yukon politics."

You hit the nail on the head. It is in the Liberals interest to work with the Yukon Party as that is where their majority flocked to. There are no gains to be made shifting farther left. The Liberal vote was split by the YP and they need that vote back.

Not the 3 party race that the media hyped.

Up 12 Down 26

Politico on Apr 13, 2021 at 12:17 pm

So much for the YP sweep all the pundits here were predicting. Yes the YP got the most votes of any party but has also vigorously opposed proportional voting and it has just been bit in the butt big time by that. Also for those boasting the YP got the most votes remember, more people voted against them than for them. Also for @Prayers, the is no YP candidate in Old Crow! Your choice is NDP or Liberal. So sorry for you!

Up 58 Down 19

Prayers for Anne on Apr 13, 2021 at 11:39 am

Prayers and fingers crossed for Anne in Northern Riding.
Need YP or NDP. Time for Ms Frost to go. An embarrassment to Legislature and Yukon people with her ideas and comments back to residents!!

Up 59 Down 23

john on Apr 13, 2021 at 11:27 am

Just like the national vote , its shows more people vote for conservatives than any other party yet our outdated system recognizes a party with fewer votes. Currie should be premier as per the wish of Yukoners.

Up 25 Down 17

JustSayin' on Apr 13, 2021 at 11:18 am

The only party looking good is the NDP because they will be able to push their agenda.

Up 20 Down 7

Richard Ablanalp on Apr 13, 2021 at 10:25 am

SOOOO - all of the incumbents got reelected and get to keep their pay cheques ?

Up 30 Down 8

Ginger Johnson on Apr 13, 2021 at 10:18 am

Pauline Frost and Annie Blake should play a game of chess to break the tie
in the Vuntut Gwitchen riding methinks.

Up 22 Down 60

CaptainObvious on Apr 13, 2021 at 10:15 am

The results prove something else too. The comments and votes on this site are skewed 4X towards the YP. Obviously, an election tactic to try sway voters. Will the YP admit it? Don't count on it.

Up 53 Down 18

Jim B on Apr 13, 2021 at 8:28 am

Now would be a good time to look at redrawing the ridings and removing some, ridings with under 1000 voters seem ridiculous, especially one with 156. Maybe merge Klondike and Vuntut, merge Pelly Nisutin and Watson, merge Kluane and Mayo.. Divy Porter Creek south up some combination and on the plus side we would automatically save half a million per year in salaries; probably way more with all the travel write offs.

Up 34 Down 20

JSM on Apr 13, 2021 at 8:25 am

At the heart of every good government is a conservative leader. Let's hope the good guys win!

Up 34 Down 19

Outsider on Apr 13, 2021 at 7:26 am

I’d like to congratulate Kate White on her promotion to deputy Premier. Will be interesting to see how long this government lasts now that the Liberal cabinet need to get Kate’s approval for every decision!

Up 45 Down 8

Yukon, born and bred. on Apr 13, 2021 at 6:47 am

I believe the popular vote numbers would indicate that Yukoners would actually prefer a return to "the old normal", Kate.

Up 12 Down 22

Josey Wales on Apr 13, 2021 at 5:38 am

gee...imagine that?
Speaking of "fly paper" might I add the thread here will be vitriolic bigus timus...deadblow, Brain not Running, politicho, prosciencelunger,
gawd fearing Patti and her circus of clowns...and yes...even me...will be buzzing around said paper if not stuck.

Shot one...BOOM!
take days to sort it out they say... thus far the optics seem much like Nov. 6 2020...
Seems we may..."keep going" worshiping idiots that hold/engineer FAR too much power/influence in our daily allegedly 1st world freedoms/lives.

I say two as, the National Destruction Party has always been and hopefully will be...completely irrelevant.
seems as though many also "feel" that way too...OJW outski comrades

Up 35 Down 15

Analysis on Apr 13, 2021 at 5:03 am

Strong endorsement of a move back to the centre for Yukon politics.
If Frost wins, we are likely in a better position than with NDP holding sway and pulling the Liberals even further left.

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