Although the Yukon Green Party doesn't have its policies fleshed out yet, they are firm on where they stand in the political world.

"People on the right think we are too left-leaning, and people on the left think that we are too right-leaning,”

Kristina Calhoun, the first Green Party candidate to put her name forward for this fall's territorial election, said during a question and answer session Wednesday afternoon. It took place in the foyer of the Yukon government administration building

"Obviously, we're right in the middle of that.”

Calhoun said that when she's out knocking on doors in the coming months, she has no problem setting the record straight for her constituents.

"I'll say, ‘Look, we're not a left party. If you think we're a left party, let me please clear that up for you,'” she said.

Calhoun announced late last week she is running for the party in the riding of Riverdale North. Incumbent Ted Staffen of the Yukon Party is not seeking a third term this fall.

Calhoun said she doesn't believe in the left and right debate.

"I think this whole left-right conversation, it might be ... an older person issue,” she said.

"From my peer group, we don't really think in terms of left and right. It's just not an issue.

"It's more about let's not label these parties, and let's not support these parties based on their little names.

Let's actually read the information. Let's listen to the candidates.”

That's why she doesn't think she's splitting the left vote, something the federal Green Party was accused of in the May 2 federal election.

Calhoun believes it's not only NDP supporters who might vote Green. But when asked where, or what party, the majority of her votes will come from, she couldn't answer.

"I'm seeing the members of the public coming to Green Party meetings, and I'm not seeing just disgruntled NDP people,” she said.

Calhoun wants to push wind, solar and micro-hydro projects in the territory, as well as economic systems like a steady state economy. The system promotes living within our ecological means instead of perpetuating economic growth.

But she knows she won't be able to push all her party's ideas in the legislature, should she become the first Green Party MLA in the territory's history.

"If I'm given the opportunity to bring issues forward, I will, but now I want to focus on is ensuring that there is a Green voice in the legislature to bring some kind of balance and accountability to the current government,” said Calhoun.

As for the housing crisis, which was ranked as the number one issue for Yukoners in a DataPath Systems poll released Wednesday, Calhoun doesn't have any answers. She said her party recognizes the issue, but hasn't come up with any solutions.

Norm Hamilton, a Green Party member, spoke on the housing issue, saying Yukoners need to stop looking at the crisis as a "single-pronged issue”.

"We are a very young party, and being that, we haven't had the time to really get into all these specifics for the Yukon,” he said. "But it's a guarantee we will shortly.”

A second Green candidate is expected to announce his or her intention to run in the election shortly.

Calhoun is running against Scott Kent from the Yukon Party and either Dave Blottner or Peter Lesniak from the NDP.

A Liberal party nomination meeting for Riverdale North is set for tonight, with Christie Richardson hoping to secure the spot.

By Nadine Sander-Green

Star Reporte