Photo by Whitehorse Star
Yukon Party MLAs Wade Istchenko
Istchenko should resign for offensive remarks: WRFN
The controversy over the severely offensive group text messages involving Yukon Party MLAs Wade Istchenko and Stacey Hassard continues to cause ripples of damage.
The controversy over the severely offensive group text messages involving Yukon Party MLAs Wade Istchenko and Stacey Hassard continues to cause ripples of damage.
The White River First Nation, which is located in Istchenko’s Kluane riding, is not amused.
It has fired off an open letter to Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon protesting Istchenko’s comments.
The letter reads: “Dear Mr. Dixon, we are writing you today to express our disappointment and frustration with the conduct of Yukon Party MLA Wade Istchenko that has recently come to light in the media, particularly given the fact that he is the representative for our Kluane riding.
“White River First Nation chief and council denounces the comments made by Mr. Istchenko given their crude nature and sexually violent tone that are inappropriate in any situation.
“This is the type of lateral violence that hurts our communities and territory. We expect a much higher standard of professionalism from the Kluane riding MLA that is supposed to represent our interests and voices as members of the riding.
“As such, we are informing you by way of this letter, as Yukon Party leader, that WRFN chief and council is no longer willing to work with Mr. Istchenko.
“To this end, we request that you pursue the resignation of Mr. Istchenko. While we appreciate the step in removing him from all critic positions, we do not feel that action goes far enough to correct the issue.
“Having Mr. Istchenko resign will send a strong message to the territory that this attitude and behaviour is not acceptable to your Party, White River First Nation, as well as the communities that make up the Kluane riding.”
This is the first formal request to be made public demanding the resignation of either Istchenko or Hassard.
Responding to the Star’s request for comment, the Yukon Party issued the following statement this morning:
“MLA Wade Istchenko has apologized for his actions, and the party has levied serious disciplinary measures.
“Mr. Istchenko has committed himself to learning from this mistake and to advocating for a safe and respectful Yukon.”
See commentary.
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Comments (70)
Up 2 Down 0
Spot on, Resident on May 12, 2021 at 2:45 am
This was the best post of all:
From Resident: If Currie wants to lead the new Yukon Party, it's time to remove the people who exemplify the worst it has to offer. People who think the law is a weapon to hurt opposition or the law doesn't apply to them. Those are literally the people who are making moderate conservatives vote Liberal.
Up 4 Down 9
Brent on May 11, 2021 at 1:48 am
I think a full public inquiry is the only way we're going to see who texted what, who all was on the group text, who is liable.
All the deflection by those who can't admit fault does nothing to repair going forward they just wallow in the same political mud they're accustomed to.
Is stating fact apologizing? The cliches never end.
Up 20 Down 4
Devolution you say. on May 9, 2021 at 8:13 pm
Dear Martin - Your DNA comment suggests that you are likely intelligent enough to either be a government worker or a member of the YEU Executive.
No gene is fully penetrant and is therefore unable to dictate behaviour. In the manner you suppose genes, at best, predispose an individual to choose from a repertoire of behaviours that are influenced by prior experience, antecedent conditions, context, and the emergent properties of a given interaction. If genes have an influence on behaviour the effect is a polymorphic one - Many genes contributing to a possible influence on behaviour.
YG is a case study in psychopathology. Because it is a closed system it has been able to survive in its present form as a parasitic organism while the sociopaths in leadership create the chaos they depend on.
Woodcutter - We do not have a culture of accountability we have a culture of entitlement... It is cancel culture with absolutely blunt effect and affect; emotionally, intellectually, and culturally.
A sycophantic collusion of the deluded!
Up 18 Down 5
Yukon Justice on May 8, 2021 at 4:53 pm
People get the government they deserve.
Up 34 Down 30
Martin on May 7, 2021 at 4:29 pm
I chuckle when I hear feminists or "woke" groups getting all worked up about Kate’s characterization on the tread/meme.
If the leader of the NDP would have been a guy, the YP would make a joke/meme on him as they did for Kate. That’s the way we guys operate. Boys will be boys, regardless of how much the LGTBQ2Faces, etc try to “educate us” . It is called DNA . Have a great week end everybody.
Up 56 Down 41
who cares on May 7, 2021 at 2:51 pm
Seriously you people needs lives.
Who cares.
Move on
Up 39 Down 14
CJ2 on May 7, 2021 at 2:21 pm
The more relevant analogy to Trudeau, in my mind, is Elbowgate, where the opposition made such melodrama out of a physical stumble that they made themselves the story and completely lost the plot. Another episode that made much hay out of not accepting an apology.
The suggestion that every organization weighing in on this should open up their own personal communications has some merit to it. This is the wild west right now. You just know that would turn something up.
These guys have been punished, and so has the Yukon Party. They are among the most experienced MLAs, they are stripped of any meaningful role, and they are paying a high personal price, being publicly shamed and made the targets of public censure even after steps were taken. It's a real shame in many ways, I thought Stacey Hassard was a great interim leader and he and Kate White made an impression as being mutually respectful and able to work together. So, though I don't know him, I can guess that he feels pretty bad to have jeopardized that in a thoughtless moment.
This shouldn't be the way these incidents are prosecuted -- in public and according to what the mob says. You start to wonder if it was engineered when the outcome is so devastating to the fortunes of an entire party. Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day when I was defending the Yukon Party, but self-righteous bullying isn't a good look for anyone.
The Liberals should accept the apologies and encourage their friends to do the same, which they should have done in the first place. What goes around comes around.
Up 25 Down 23
NeilAlexGeddy on May 7, 2021 at 1:14 pm
@Yukoner61
"Actually, this is the Yukon Party reaping what they sowed."
So you are comparing the 2020 leak which ensured that a legislative process was free from conflict of interest to this media leak? Comparing emails which suggest that the Yukon Liberals subvert a lawful legislative process to a leaked screen capture of a few crude jokes and childish texts? The proof is in the contrast .....
Up 29 Down 12
Woodcutter on May 7, 2021 at 12:45 pm
Is this cancel culture, or accountability culture ? I like to think we as a society have evolved and desire improved governance structures and elected leaders to advance those desires. Will it blow over? Of course it will, however the taint will always follow them, especially the whispering when they are not in the room.
I think it's accountability culture.
Up 16 Down 11
Groucho d'North on May 7, 2021 at 11:33 am
@Political equivalency
You appear to be a Liberal faithful apologist. Trudeau's numerous violations of ethics and his demonstrated disregard for all the moral platitudes he utters cannot be swept away for the reasons you state- truthfully as you had to list many of them for comparison sake, I suspect you too were struggling to try and discount Trudeau's departures from the moral judgements he promotes all to follow. Does time really diminish the actions made long ago and if it does, what is your position on reconciliation?
Up 23 Down 35
Political equivalency on May 7, 2021 at 4:14 am
In regards to comparing this heinous texting scandal of the Yukon Party and Trudeau's 20 year old blackface incident there are other major differences also that I would be embarrassed to draw up such a comparison.
1. Trudeau was not alone in blackfacing as 10s of millions of North Americans have dressed up as different black stars, Halloween costumes, mimes.
2. Trudeau's action was not meant to demean or hurt anyone. He was being an Arab in a play like situation. Is all of Hollywood guilty of racism?
3, These foolish texting subjects were meant to hurt individual people with different points of view and were wickedly misogynistic.
4. This incident of texting is fresh and not outdated by twenty years of political correcting.
5. Has there ever been a conservative who admitted fault?
Up 42 Down 15
Elodie Dulac on May 6, 2021 at 11:57 pm
If your going to make a comment on this, you shouldn’t be allowed to do it with a ‘handle’. These guys names were exposed, and if you're going to write aggressive comments, put your name beside your mouth too!
Up 43 Down 8
Yukoner61 on May 6, 2021 at 11:20 pm
@NeilAlexGeddy
Actually, this is the Yukon Party reaping what they sowed. They ran to the media last year as soon as an email was accidentally sent to them by a Liberal Minister. They preferred to play childish games rather than talk about it man to man. They wanted Yukon politics to turn into a blood sport and now they've got it. Another lesson of "Be careful what you wish for".
Up 42 Down 14
Yukoner61 on May 6, 2021 at 11:08 pm
@Mad Trapper
"Sandy is a cry baby going to the media instead of dealing with it man to man like Currie tried to do"
What goes around, comes around and sometimes worse. Maybe you will recall last year when Minister John Streicker accidentally sent an email to the Yukon Party that wasn't intended for them? If you don't remember, just google it. Currie Dixon and Ted Laking went straight to the media with the email in just a matter of hours like gleeful school children.
So why exactly should the Liberals keep things private for the Yukon Party fraternity, while the Yukon Party runs gleefully to the media with every little thing they get their hands on?
Sorry, but life is a two way street my friend!
Up 26 Down 39
My Opinion on May 6, 2021 at 3:23 pm
It seems to me that Text thread started elsewhere. I wonder if it was another party that may have included the participants? Hmmmmmm. The plot thickens. I love a good "Who Done It"
Up 36 Down 36
My Opinion on May 6, 2021 at 3:19 pm
So let's have a look at everyones Social Media posts, all parties. Delete if you want but your comments are in other peoples computers and phones as well. Kate and Sandy and all their minions should be very careful what they wish for. Daylight can be very sanitizing.
Up 14 Down 28
Dodgecityjase on May 6, 2021 at 3:12 pm
Where's Larry Bagnell?
Up 44 Down 47
Nathan Living on May 6, 2021 at 2:23 pm
Wade is an adult who made a mistake. He has apologized and no law was broken that I am aware of.
It's time to pull back the outrage and allow Wade to do his job and move on with his life.
Up 8 Down 5
Observer on May 6, 2021 at 1:20 pm
Ane, you comment on everything? I have noticed that you have been very quiet on this subject??
Up 28 Down 36
JSM on May 6, 2021 at 1:12 pm
If Trudeau didn't resign after his scandalous run, including black face and payouts to his cronies, I do not really see the need for Wade to. He was stripped of having any importance in the Cabinet and has a fairly good track record. I think what he did was obviously wrong and reeks of the same above thou attitude that politicians have in general but I do not think it warrants a resignation in the face of the opposition has done. Compassion for me and not for thee is the Lieberals go to measure so I am sure they would feel the same way if it was their guy.
Up 36 Down 31
NeilAlexGeddy on May 6, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Politics in the Yukon has officially become a blood sport.
My prediction is that a few Liberal MLAs will going through something similar within the next couple of months. There are a few on that side of the isle that are not squeaky clean and who haven't done a good job cleaning the trail. You reap what you sow.
Up 69 Down 46
Lennie on May 6, 2021 at 11:03 am
First of all, Currie absolutely is challenged to deal with these numbskulls old enough to be his Father. I thought of this when I voted for him which is now proving to have been a mistake. Now is the time for him to prove he deserves his position by expelling them from our party. They are going to get their salary anyway UNLESS THEY HAVE THE DECENCY TO RESIGN. It is up to their constituents to put the pressure on them. We'll soon see what kind of people they prove to be.
Up 60 Down 7
Groucho d'North on May 6, 2021 at 9:53 am
I've said it before and will again: There needs to be a standard of performance for all elected people in Canada - municipal, provincial and federal - and the consequences for violating those standards should be the same no matter who or where the offence was made. We are becoming more like a banana republic each year.
Up 34 Down 8
Crunch on May 6, 2021 at 8:59 am
This is typical modern politics. The tolerant just society is the one that accepts government lies and spin on a daily basis and attacks individuals at any opportunity. Orwell explained it all so well so many years ago. The things people should be concerned about they let go as a personal attack is so much easier and can garner quicker results on social media.
Up 63 Down 55
Childish on May 6, 2021 at 8:50 am
I agree with Jane. Sandy should have taken the high road and NOT shared the actual texts. He's just as childish as the rest.
Plus, who responds to group texts without looking to see who is in the group? KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE ALWAYS.
I'm embarrassed for the Yukon.
Up 45 Down 49
DA on May 6, 2021 at 8:46 am
Well, Useless, I guess Mr. Trudeau should also resign, since "a leopard's spots don't typically change". Remember the "black face" incident?
Up 28 Down 27
Yukoner '71 on May 6, 2021 at 8:05 am
Not surprised to see Pro Science behind his holier than thou pulpit demeaning other people he doesn't agree with as usual. The real irony about his comment this time is that he's criticizing politicians for doing the same thing he just did on this comment board. The irony of it would be obvious to anyone not blinded by his tunnel vision for those who don't share his political views.
Up 44 Down 34
Politico on May 6, 2021 at 7:39 am
@JustSaying - It's amazing how the CONservatives can compare apples to oranges. The black face incident took place 21 years ago and we hope he has grown up a tad since then. How long does one have to punished for a wrong doing before the CONservatives can forgive? Unto the 7th generation perhaps? The YP members should know better in this day and age but as they are CONservatives let's just act like Trump and say boys will be boys and move on! NOT!
Up 37 Down 27
YT on May 6, 2021 at 7:36 am
Hassard seems to be getting a free ride on this while Wade is facing all the fallout.
Up 37 Down 12
Cindy Young on May 6, 2021 at 7:28 am
I hope that some form of reprimand is done. I also hope that no one, in any kind of power position has texts revealed including WRFN staff. You dig enough you can find them!
Up 26 Down 19
Hans on May 6, 2021 at 6:37 am
I think we should have a full public inquiry into this incident and see if we can find out who all was on that group chat and learn if there are any more horrors.
Yukon Party did you learn something from the White River first nation, as I did?
Up 56 Down 55
Mad Trapper of Riverdale on May 5, 2021 at 10:31 pm
Sandy is a cry baby going to the media instead of dealing with it man to man like Currie tried to do.
Obviously he is using this as a gift to distract from how badly he sold out the government with his back room pact with the NDP to cling to power.
Wade is a great guy who has served his riding exceedingly well. Yes it was dumb to be part of this exchange but show me one person who hasn't done the same thing?? Let's look at all the past texts from the self righteous mob out there? They no doubt the hypocrites have been deleting them like crazy over the weekend!
Up 36 Down 17
Mary on May 5, 2021 at 10:10 pm
Sadly there are a lot of vitriolic comments that perhaps are worse then the perceived offense.
There is an old biblical saying: "Let those without sin cast the first stone."
My suspicion is that given some of those who have commented there may be few, if any, that would could live by this adage.
Up 42 Down 31
Bingo on May 5, 2021 at 9:56 pm
@Strong Message...."White River First Nation leads by example"...LOL they haven't even signed their UFA yet...it's 2021.
Up 52 Down 15
Leslie Peters on May 5, 2021 at 9:27 pm
For those who say the real damage done was by Sandy Silver: I'm not his biggest fan, but I disagree. Never do or say anything privately that you would be ashamed of publicly, and then you won't have problems. I've seen so many men think that there should be some kind of distinction between the their private and public self, and it's been their greatest downfall. Just be a good person, and you'll have nothing to worry about--plain and simple.
Up 45 Down 29
Amazing on May 5, 2021 at 9:24 pm
It's amazing to see all the Yukon Party conservative faithful here trying to paint Sandy Silver as the villain for exposing Currie's crew instead of acknowledging the horrible things that were said. Talk about desperate! You guys really don't get it huh?
Anyways, this Old Boys club will never change until they get a new leader. Currie is the classic young locker room frat guy. It's really scary that this crew came within a hair of being in power. We can only hope that people remember this when the next election rolls around.
Up 57 Down 17
Mike on May 5, 2021 at 8:55 pm
I'm sorry but I have to agree. I am a staunch YP supporter and my whole family voted conservative in this election like every election. Try and justify this behavior with a political party by saying he will learn from this is horsecrap and Dixon knows it. If my 16 yr old son knows not to talk like that, then I have to demand the party I support act appropriate and professional in all matters. These are our public figures and to have this in any form or fashion is wrong and sends a strong message to our youth that it's ok for our politicians to act inappropriate but not our children.
If replacing both of these obviously very disfunctional representatives is the only solution, then Currie do the right thing. Your handling of this situation will reflect your capability to Govern your party and if not, then I think I to will have to reassess my loyalty to the Yukon Party. Totally unacceptable and offensive. Don't minimize their actions, show your constituents that in no way will we lower our standards and allow this to happen. Do the right thing - it's a must and Cliff I'd like to hear your input on this as you are someone I hold in high regard. Am I happy about the way this election went? No but that's not the issue, ethics and morals is and if the YP won't do the right thing then maybe they shouldn't govern.
Up 53 Down 39
Manufacturing Consent on May 5, 2021 at 8:55 pm
Heads up Yukon, you are being played - and quite adeptly.
If Wade and Stacey resign then there will by-elections in their ridings - which the YLP and the NDP both imagine will result (fingers crossed) on another seat or two for them.
This wasn't the Premier thinking the sharing of these texts would somehow benefit the Yukon. He was hoping he could appeal to mob self-righteousness to get himself to a majority. His friends (who stand to benefit from a Liberal majority) are lining up to help him stir you all up enough so he gets a shot at one.
Was this acceptable talk? No. Can this behaviour be remediated? Absolutely.
But...extending a little compassion, and making MEANINGFUL suggestions about what can be done to address the need to address passive misogyny doesn't result in any more Liberal seats. Relentless criticism and inflicting irreparable damage does. Somehow organizing a political mobbing and ruining people's lives is going to make us a better Territory by ensuring a Liberal majority.
Really, really think about that Yukon. Follow the play. Your angst is being used for political gain.
That's the stuff you need to really keep an eye out for.
Up 27 Down 31
My Two Cents on May 5, 2021 at 7:56 pm
For some reason the original article on May 3, 'Yukon Party MLAs stripped of roles...' would not take comments after May 3. So here are my comments: Initially after seeing the inappropriate and offensive texts, Currie Dixon sent a peace-making, apologetic text to Sandy Silver. This was most likely an attempt to reconcile the situation and halt sensationalism. Currie Dixon has since said that the text messages are offensive, rude, unacceptable and unprofessional. He has levied repercussions for the two MLAs. Shame on the two YP MLAs.
Sandy Silver said that,"I am sharing these with the media because Yukoners should be aware of the culture that is considered acceptable within the Yukon Party." Kate White said, "It seems like the newer, nicer Yukon Party was just a campaign promise."
Regarding the NDP candidate that was going to run for office in Watson Lake, no one then nor now believes that the behaviour of that person was a stance that was also taken by Kate White or any other NDP person running for office in the election. Why then do the Liberals and the NDP believe that all of the Yukon Party is tainted with the same brush? That is a blatantly unfair bias. Shame on the fingerpointing leaders of the Liberal and NDP parties. ALL parties need to be held up to a higher standard. You are supposed to be our leaders!
Up 30 Down 24
TheHammer on May 5, 2021 at 7:36 pm
Thomas Brewer@ It is not the WRFN that's on trial here. If this is your take on the Christian value of "let he who is without sin cast the first stone", the two men in question are the stone throwers, and their stones have already damaged the YP party, and is an affront to any decent member of the Yukon electorate, not to mention children who hear the dispute.
Up 36 Down 24
TheHammer on May 5, 2021 at 7:30 pm
The best way to be genuinely sorry is to get your marching orders. Otherwise it's just empty words. However, the YP leader doesn't want to do that, because for him and the party it is an issue of power, power over ethics, power over decency. It is not only the two verbal miscreants on trial, but the YP leadership.
Up 35 Down 38
Juniper Jackson on May 5, 2021 at 6:38 pm
The Liberals would stoop to anything to get a few seats, dump White and rule. That the old boys club gave them some ammo, as weak as it is, is regrettable. You should hear what some of the old ladies say around the tea pot. But, we are not held to the same standard that I hold an elected official to. They are supposed to be a cut above the tea pot, to be role models for our young people.
You guys should know better than to put anything..ANYTHING, in writing. Making fun of someone else? Trudeau Liberals called Canadians 'neanderthals", nazi's, we are 'uncanadian' and 'stupid'. So, yeah. put on your big boy pants and act like men. But resign? No. That's just Liberals trying to get another seat or two. In case you haven't noticed, Liberals are very, very poor losers.
Up 26 Down 11
Independent on May 5, 2021 at 6:35 pm
Wade and Stacey, just become independents!
Up 30 Down 40
Guncache on May 5, 2021 at 6:35 pm
While the comments were not appropriate it is not enough to terminate them. The Liberal party has no problem ignoring the antics of Mr Black Face, aka Mr We Scandal. Are there different rules for Liberals. Black Face is still sitting in Ottawa.
Up 32 Down 35
CJ2 on May 5, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Yeah, the comments were stupid and ignorant and hurtful. But Sandy Silver weaponized them, and I can't see that his motives were pure. A couple of by-elections might suit him fine. It turned into an episode of dirty political tricks and I don't want to see the Yukon descend to this.
The MLAs were elected and they are not rookies. Voters chose them, again, after ample opportunities to see how they worked for them. It's not up to the White River First Nation to attempt to overturn the election by lobbying for their resignation or "refusing" to work with the one elected in their area.
No, I'm not a Yukon Party supporter. The two of them will weather this or they won't. It's up to the voters, ultimately.
Up 42 Down 33
Pasture time on May 5, 2021 at 6:21 pm
They should never have run again. How can we take them seriously when they spend their Friday afternoons acting like teenage boys who have just got there first shot of testosterone. I am glad that Sandy Silver outed these entitled two. Time to take the shredder to the party Currie. These two should have been put out to pasture after their first term.
Up 20 Down 25
Resident on May 5, 2021 at 6:00 pm
My post was edited. I didn't identify anyone by name or tell people how to find names. I was explaining that these were not private messages between Wade and Stacey. There were other individuals who are hiding behind the politicians, letting them take the fire. Wade and Stacey agreed with the sentiment but someone else started it.
Wade and Stacey are not the endpoint of these messages. They are the public aspect of a problem that has lurked within the Yukon Party for a long time.
Up 91 Down 142
Jane on May 5, 2021 at 5:38 pm
So my take on this is that although the childish texts were offensive and inappropriate the real damage done was when Sandy made the texts public. This was even more inappropriate and he should have to take courses on proper way to deal with these types of issues. He is very divisive and only did this to try and hurt the other political party. I can only imagine everyone is trying to find bad things about the liberal MLA's now also - wait and see.
Up 143 Down 47
Resident on May 5, 2021 at 5:27 pm
If Currie wants to lead the new Yukon Party, it's time to remove the people who exemplify the worst it has to offer. People who think the law is a weapon to hurt opposition or the law doesn't apply to them. Those are literally the people who are making moderate conservatives vote Liberal.
Up 96 Down 27
Anon on May 5, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Just like everyone said they "had to" see the texts, I think we should all demand to see the specifics of the "serious disciplinary measures". Let the public judge whether or not they are appropriate.
Up 53 Down 24
Sheepchaser on May 5, 2021 at 5:05 pm
My major concern here is for the constituents of the Kluane riding. I hope the issues that need to be addressed in the next session of the legislature, and for which he is expected to advocate, are not tainted by our MLA’s behaviour or the perception thereof.
Up 87 Down 115
JustSayin' on May 5, 2021 at 4:58 pm
Ummm, Sandy was in the text chain and did nothing, should he not be punished for not doing anything. Inaction is an action itself thus indicating acceptance. Wade's resignation should have been requested as well as Silver's.
Why is it okay for the PM of Canada to dress up as black and brown face and allowed to apologize and learn from it, yet these two people aren't allowed to?
Everyone has done or said something inappropriate in their lives; if you haven't then your threshold for inappropriatnesss is different than most or you have not lived and learned.
Up 69 Down 52
Can we please see the texts? on May 5, 2021 at 4:53 pm
I'm sure a lot of individuals have private correspondence with people that they wouldn't want public. This show really makes me ask if it's legal to just give all of my texts/emails to media when they were sent in private. Might be surprised what you learn about all of the different groups.
Up 118 Down 70
Strong Message on May 5, 2021 at 4:51 pm
White River First Nation has sent a clear message today.
Their words are strong and show what is and what is not acceptable.
Representation requires a level of responsibility. That was not occurring. This was a well thought out and timely message. These words received national attention.
White River First Nation leads by example.
Up 121 Down 46
BnR on May 5, 2021 at 4:44 pm
Anyone drawing parallels between this and Trudeau whole blackface episode needs to become familiar with false equivalence.
If these comments had been dredged up from 20 years ago, prior to the two MLAs holding public office, that’s one thing, but this literally just happened, and in this day and age, for a political to act like this is just not acceptable.
Up 132 Down 47
Wes on May 5, 2021 at 4:36 pm
Any Yukon government employee would have been fired for these sorts of shenanigans. These two are government employees as well. Why do they get to be special?
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Olav on May 5, 2021 at 4:34 pm
Bye bye Wade!
If you don't get removed, you should resign out of respect for your constituents.
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NeilAlexGeddy on May 5, 2021 at 4:14 pm
So all 30 eligible voters in Beaver Creek who didn't vote for Wade to begin with want him to resign. No suprise. I didn't see the virtue signaling mob calling for Trudeau's resignation during gropegate. Just a political hatchet job .... it will pass.
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beaker on May 5, 2021 at 4:14 pm
Sandy Silver made public a private thread which is amateur hour at it's best. No resignation necessary unless it is that of Silvers.
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ProScience Greenie on May 5, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Wade should resign. He could then start The Yukon Reform Party as a home for our Yukon deplorables, conspiracy theorists and far right neo-fascists.
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Oh shut up already on May 5, 2021 at 3:30 pm
Before you complain about "whataboutism" in my post, think about who this text message affects, because unlike this message, the s*it show going on in Ottawa concerns us all. Therefore, you know who should resign? That ..... occupying space in the PM's office. If there is anything to take away from this is that liberals are first to condemn someone for something so insignificant as crude texts while completely forgetting that their dear leader is guilty of scandals, gropings, ethics violations, blackface, "balancing" the budget, dropping the ball on vaccines, etc etc etc. If this isn't the pot calling the kettle black, I don't know what is. But I guess they experience it differently, eh?
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Tater on May 5, 2021 at 3:26 pm
Well discipline has been levied.
The question is though, by allowing these 2 individuals to remain in the party, does this signal that the Yukon Party is prepared to tolerate and condone such behaviour?
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Dave on May 5, 2021 at 3:18 pm
This is providing a good excuse for a lot of manufactured outrage from various entities for purely political purposes. Sandy Silver must be thanking his lucky stars that this gift landed in his lap to draw attention from the real issue of the day which is how he sold Liberals and Yukoners out with his little NDP side deal. The usual fluff is going on trying to distract people from real issues of the day.
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Useless on May 5, 2021 at 3:16 pm
An apology is meaningless without noticeable change of behaviour. A leopard’s spots don’t typically change. And the ‘punishment’ of being rewarded to do less while your colleagues then have to pick up the burden of your stupidity? The move of an amateur Dixon. You’ve lost the confidence of a First Nation. Like it or not, these folks need to resign. However, in fairness, everyone else on that text chain ought to be exposed too.
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Nathan Living on May 5, 2021 at 3:12 pm
This has gone too far.
People including many women in office situations act this way when they think no one can hear them.
It's inappropriate but Wade deserves his job and the WRFN has gone too far.
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Groucho d'North on May 5, 2021 at 3:12 pm
I wonder if they have the same feelings towards our Prime Minister after he wore blackface a number of times? Is this a position based on principles or some other purpose?
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Karen the Keyboard Warrior on May 5, 2021 at 3:10 pm
I don't see why this MLA has to resign for discussing information that was not privy for the public. His reply (a thumbs up emoji) does not warrant a resignation. Wade has represented the Kluane riding well and is a great community member of the Kluane area. He is well respected and is an active community member. He is an ally to BIPOC and lgbtq2s+ members of our communities. These actions, yes, are out of line, but this knowledge should never have been publicized.
I would like all of us to take a look at how we communicate in private and see if our actions are always "to the book". I think Sandy Silver should recognize that it was quite childish to go to the media with this. Did you want brownie points or something?
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Thomas Brewer on May 5, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Cancel culture at it's finest... 'cause nobody in a leadership position at WRFN has _ever_ done or said anything inappropriate... right?
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Chris Fox on May 5, 2021 at 3:08 pm
LOL !
the antics of Currie and his Frat Boys just go on and on and on ......
They'll make a lot of money when they star in the remake of
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE though.
Casting will include
----- Dixon as Dean Wormer
----- Hassard as Blutoo
----- Istchenko as Neidermeyer
----- Cathers as Otter
----- Kent as Dorfman
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Greg on May 5, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Good for WRFN for taking a standing and calling this out, others should follow suit.