Photo by Whitehorse Star
Deputy Premier Tracy-Anne McPhee
McPhee no longer Liberal government house leader
The Liberal government has “quietly announced that they had demoted Deputy Premier Tracy-Anne McPhee from the Government House Leader position,” the Yukon Party said this morning.
The Liberal government has “quietly announced that they had demoted Deputy Premier Tracy-Anne McPhee from the Government House Leader position,” the Yukon Party said this morning.
Last month, the embattled McPhee had been asked to resign from the cabinet by a majority vote of the legislature following her involvement in the Hidden Valley School sexual abuse controversy during her time as Education minister (2016-21).
Premier Sandy Silver had categorically rejected that motion, saying he “decided who served in his cabinet.”
“However, despite taking the Government House Leader position from the Deputy Premier, she remains in cabinet,” said the release from the Yukon Party.
“This demotion of minister McPhee is too little too late,” said Brad Cathers, the party’s Justice critic.
“Throughout this sitting, it became very clear that while she was minister of Education, she failed to ensure that parents were notified of serious issues that had taken place at Hidden Valley Elementary School.
“The legislative assembly sent a clear signal that a majority of MLAs have lost confidence in Deputy Premier McPhee, and have called on her to resign,” added Cathers.
“The NDP even said they no longer believe it is safe for her to be in cabinet. Until Deputy Premier McPhee respects the will of the legislative assembly by resigning from cabinet, she is demonstrating contempt for this democratic institution.”
The Yukon Party also provided an email from Moira Lassen, the executive assistant for new Government House Leader John Streicker, confirming the move.
The house leader’s duties include conferring with the opposition parties over the daily agenda for the legislature.
After the Star asked the government to explain what has happened regarding McPhee’s status, the cabinet office issued a short statement this morning saying “Minister McPhee is currently undergoing medical treatment to address an ongoing health concern.
“Minister Streicker has assumed the responsibilities of the House Leader for the Yukon Liberal Caucus until further notice.”
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Comments (25)
Up 1 Down 0
yukong on Nov 14, 2021 at 8:47 pm
I've lived in Brad's riding for 10 years - he's the only political candidate, figure, etc., to ever visit my home during campaign time, out of all the ridings I lived in previously. He's also the only one who has given me the time of day as a citizen outside of campaign time. To me, that's worth pitching for gas.
Up 1 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Nov 14, 2021 at 3:39 pm
@Comparison
I do not have the information on how these claims are scrutinized and approved, but you can be sure somebody with the authority is reviewing them, including the MLAs who are in apartments paid for by we taxpayers. Accomodation rent, utilities and perhaps furnishings, again - I don't know the details. If this issue really is important for you contact the Legislative Assembly offices and get the details. Again I think you are trying to make something out of nothing. Please report back what you learn.
Up 8 Down 4
Comparison on Nov 13, 2021 at 8:48 pm
@Groucho
Ok, so by your definition that claiming a ton of money means you are doing a good job, what does that say about Scott Kent who lives out in Lake Laberge and only claims $4,000 instead of 25? John Streicker also lives out there and claims roughly the same. For some reason, you just can't accept the fact that Brad Cathers is claiming a ton of money that he really doesn't deserve. He is fleecing taxpayers. Sure he is technically ALLOWED according to the rules, but so are the other MLAs I mentioned and yet they have enough decency not to claim such an insane amount for gas and food.
Up 5 Down 4
Groucho d'North on Nov 13, 2021 at 8:58 am
@Brent
LeBarge is a large riding and Brad does a good job of visiting constituents, whereas the 'previous MLA' did not- perhaps that's why he (Doug Livingston) is the previous MLA? He also resigned his position after only three years on the job.
Up 3 Down 1
TheHammer on Nov 12, 2021 at 1:17 pm
Groucho d' North@ LEFTY: Left right, it's all about money. And when it comes to judgements it's all about 'execution'. Parochial at best.
Up 5 Down 5
TMYK on Nov 12, 2021 at 11:46 am
@ Brent. Inflation? Brad has been representing his riding for 20 years. You’re upset that he is claiming what legislation says he’s entitled to claim?
Up 11 Down 9
Brent on Nov 12, 2021 at 12:18 am
@Groucho : I see your sticking up for Brad again and refuse to acknowledge that at $25,000.00 (twenty five thousand dollars) per year for fuel allowance he has been justified in charging that when as pointed out in another article by a previous poster with all the pertinent links for proof that the previous MLA for that riding charged $800.00 (eight hundred dollars) per year for the same service.
I would be interested to hear your justification for this gross difference in sum amounts for the same service. I'm obviously missing something.
Up 7 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Nov 11, 2021 at 9:20 pm
@TheHammer
LEFTY? Moi? You're taking another try at humour eh?
Up 13 Down 2
TheHammer on Nov 10, 2021 at 9:31 pm
Grouch d' North, Salt, JSM @ It's all about money for you lefties, and it's always someone else's money.
Up 16 Down 3
moe on Nov 10, 2021 at 5:17 pm
My guess is that there are some MLA's who work hard and are on top of everything important that goes on in their portfolios, and there are others who are basically lazy and who let the bureaucrats run the show. When that happens, they get caught with their pants down now and then in the legislature, when it becomes apparent that they were not informed or 'with it' enough to make the right moves at the right time. And then the party leader has to take action because the cat is out of the bag.
Up 9 Down 9
John on Nov 10, 2021 at 3:16 pm
@ bloated pensions
Give it a rest. You are just jealous.
Although I can understand your frustration. If you ran you would never get a second term, which you would need to be entitled to a pension. Of course all of this is predicated that you were successful in the first term to get elected - of course, you could if you were the only candidate I suppose.
Up 20 Down 7
Groucho d;North on Nov 10, 2021 at 2:40 pm
@Bloated Pensions
I am not angry. The pension and benefit amounts for all MLAs, Deputy Ministers and even rank and file employees were determined through a negociated process and all benefit the same way and to the same degree. The fact that Brad Cathers has been in the Legislature the longest I attribute to his performance as an MLA repsesenting his constituents, and I am one of those. Brad does a good job for us and because of that he gets re-elected and keeps his job. Critics seem to promote that Brad is doing something underhanded or is getting special consideration somehow. He does his job well and we want him to keep working for us. Pretty simple when you remove all the quasi-political finger-pointing.
Up 20 Down 11
Austin on Nov 10, 2021 at 9:40 am
That is all they are in for is the pensions. All I can say is good she should resign and maybe the other political leaders should start telling the truth or resign.
Up 15 Down 25
Bloated Pensions on Nov 9, 2021 at 9:55 pm
@Salt, George and Groucho
If you are angry about MLAs and their pensions, then your blood must be boiling at the massive pensions that Brad Cathers, Scott Kent and Currie Dixon will be getting. They have all worked for government most of their lives, and most of that time was in the legislature at the biggest trough of all! Their pensions will dwarf those of any other MLAs and they just keep getting bigger. I think there should be a time limit as to how long you can be elected. Cathers has been there for like 20 years or something!
Up 47 Down 17
Groucho d'North on Nov 9, 2021 at 8:57 am
But she's still eligible for the pension and isn't what this was all about in the first place?
Up 56 Down 21
George on Nov 9, 2021 at 8:04 am
It's not enough...most Yukoners are ready for another election. The liberals have betrayed their voters, Shamley pulled a big liberal based scam on all of us and the liberals are ignoring the will of MLAs. Kate please end the liberal pension plan coalition.
Up 54 Down 14
So Arrogant on Nov 9, 2021 at 3:58 am
The insult here is according to the Liberals she was not demoted, she had to leave because she is having medical treatment. They can’t even be honest when they are doing the right thing? Is there no end to their arrogance and deception? It is like the group home scandal - the ADM was allowed to resign, the Manager was quietly moved to a TA. Our Premiere should grow a backbone and state she was demoted due to her incompetence and negligence, but he is is arrogant. This government has to go - a no confidence vote is in order NOW.
Up 41 Down 13
Salt on Nov 8, 2021 at 9:20 pm
Gotta get that fat pension. I’m sure she has enough leverage on Silver that he can’t boot her without threatening his position.
Up 39 Down 5
CJ2 on Nov 8, 2021 at 8:10 pm
Is it really a demotion? Seems inevitable, anyway, as it must be pretty hard to get together with the other parties to negotiate House business when they've voted for you to resign.
Up 25 Down 10
Moose101 on Nov 8, 2021 at 7:28 pm
As I said last week Silver is not going to risk a non confidence vote and lose an election Tracey will resign her cabinet portfolio this week.
Up 31 Down 11
Just saying on Nov 8, 2021 at 4:22 pm
And she should be demoted from her Health Minister as well. Resign, admit your error and move on. Learn from your mistakes like the rest of us in all other industries have to do. Health will be a hen show if left in that position. It already is!!
A new broom might tidy that mess up.
Up 25 Down 28
TheHammer on Nov 8, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Brad Cathers is in no position to point fingers and talk of accountability. His time as minister responsible for WCB was a time of no accountability whatsoever. Double dealing, back room meetings that deliberately excluded The Injured Workers Alliance, a recognized participant in the consultation process, from key meetings. When sitting as an independent he was asked to raise the issue of law breaking by the Board Chairmen, concerning injured worker's annuity benefits, he said. "it would be like blowing hot air down my nose." The old school tie is more important than injured workers. Accountability!
Up 124 Down 31
Mike on Nov 8, 2021 at 2:54 pm
Typical liberal horse manure, minimize yet still reward the wrong doers. As Cathers said to little to late. Stop thinking of the POSs and start thinking of the victims these people create. Oh yeah that'd be far to beneficial. Tracy McPhee should've resigned without being asked. Silver should have forced the issue and every school employee that kept this secret from the parents should all be fired.
Up 119 Down 23
Al on Nov 8, 2021 at 2:46 pm
This isn't a demotion - it is to keep her at a physical distance from any of the opposition - to cite "The house leader’s duties include conferring with the opposition parties over the daily agenda for the legislature." I suspect she would feel a tad uncomfortable facing those who oppose her and wish to see her resign.
The Army calls this leaving the battlefield an "act of cowardice in the face of the enemy". The Liberals say it is for health reasons.
Up 111 Down 26
JSM on Nov 8, 2021 at 2:35 pm
Seems like a convenient excuse when you do not want to come out and say "we have lost faith in Tracy" as the Liberals. There attempt to sweep all of this under the rug should lead to jobs losses not just demotions.