Jonas Smith announced today he’s seeking the nomination to be the Conservative Party of Canada’s Yukon candidate in next year’s federal election.

He made his intentions known at the Whitehorse Public Library this morning.

Smith said he is the third generation of his family to call the territory home, adding he is proud to be raising his children here.

His paternal grandfather served in the military. He moved his family to Whitehorse after the Second World War. His dad was born here.

Smith himself was not, but he has spent most of his adult life in the territory. He said he has been pursuing his “Yukon dream” since 1999.

The territory’s culture fuelled his imagination and helped shape his perspective, he said.

“I believe I have the depth of experience to represent the values and priorities of Yukoners in Ottawa,” Smith said.

He added that his point of view was also influenced by his family’s military service, which showed him the value of democracy.

“I feel extremely blessed that I was raised to believe that democracy is precious and not to be taken for granted,” he said.

Smith will bring his knowledge and experience from his position on the Klondike Placer Miner’s Association and the Yukon Producers’ Group to the pursuit of the nomination.

He also volunteers with the Victoria Gold Corp.’s charity, called Every Student, Every Day.

He is a former president of the Yukon Party and has been on the federal Conservative national council for 2 1/2 years.

He was then-Yukon Party premier Darrell Pasloski’s campaign manager in the 2016 election. He had previously served as Pasloski’s executive assistant and as his chief of staff.

He feels this experience has shown him the interworking of the system.

Smith said he believes every Canadian has the right to his or her own personal choices and freedoms, and feels everyone deserves the same rights.

He wants to ensure that individuals can make their own decisions, and not have the government tell them what’s best.

Smith feels that it’s incumbent on all Canadians to find their best way of serving the country.

He said he has determined running for public office is the best way he can fulfill this duty.

“It would be a privilege to do so on Yukoners’ behalf,” he said.

He said he has always been interested in politics, and military service was not an option for him due to his youth.

He felt the time was right to pursue politics.

He added he understands that politics can have negative effects on people and their families, but is willing to make that sacrifice.

Smith chose the Conservatives because he has been a conservative for most of his life.

He explained that the party’s values are consistent with his own. He also feels that Andrew Scheer’s leadership is what Canada needs.

Smith said the Conservatives are a big tent party for all people. The party is looking to concentrate on issues that everyone agrees on rather than what divides it.

He said he finds himself on both the social conservative and libertarian wings of the party.

“I’m on both sides of the party,” he said.

He said he wants to work to overturn the current ratio between the public and private sectors – without costing jobs and quality of life.

He added he wants to respect and uphold First Nations’ self-determination.

When asked where he stood on mining issues and First Nations’ concerns, he said this is an issue for the Yukon government.

That said, he believes the federal government can provide leadership to make sure both parties are on the same page.

He said he does not yet want to speak on what could be major election issues.

His current focus is on getting his party’s nomination, but he did say that the federal carbon tax will most likely be an issue.

The Conservative nomination period officially opened today and runs for 14 days.

If there is more than one candidate, there would be a vote by party members next month.

Smith said he has heard that there are other people interested in the nomination, but no one else has come forward yet.

As the Star reported last Friday, former MP Ryan Leef has said he has no plans to contest the nomination.

Larry Bagnell, the incumbent Liberal MP, has not publicly indicated whether he will seek the nomination again, and could not be reached for comment before press time this afternoon.

No one has publicly emerged for the New Democrats or the Greens.