Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes MLA Kevin Barr has thrown his hat into the ring for a second term in the legislature.

The NDP MLA announced his re-election bid in Carcross on Sunday afternoon, but his decision was made much earlier.

“Initially when I ran (in 2011), I thought I would run for two terms for consistency ... and to follow through on the work that we, out in the riding, have accomplished,” Barr said in an interview this morning.

There have been several victories since he took office, he added.

His motion to make National Aboriginal Day a statutory holiday received some movement in the legislature when it was passed unanimously by members, though at this point, it is unclear whether the government will act on the motion.

Another small victory was improving communities’ access to news coverage.

At one point a few years ago, not everyone in the communities had access to CBC radio, he said.

“We got together throughout the riding and got that reinstated,” Barr recounted.

Constituents in his riding were also vocal throughout conversations around the use of hydraulic fracturing in the territory, and have continually expressed interest in seeing development in renewable energy and infrastructure.

“To be developing those things is something I’ve heard over and over again, so I’ll be supporting that,” Barr said.

It is this commitment to voicing the concerns of the people that Barr plans to continue doing if re-elected.

“Politics for me is about community – about people coming together and making their voices heard. My style has been, and will continue to be, as an advocate, a supporter and MLA who works for all Yukoners,” Barr said in a statement Sunday.

So far, one other person has come forward to run in Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes.

Former city councillor John Streicker announced he is seeking the Liberal nomination last summer. A formal Yukon Liberal nomination meeting for Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes has been scheduled for March 3, where the official candidate will be decided upon.

If Streicker wins the nomination, it could be the second time that he and Barr have squared off in an election.

In 2011, both men ran against current Yukon MP Larry Bagnell and former MP Ryan Leef in the federal election, which Leef ultimately won.

“I do believe the most important poll is what happens on election day,” Barr said.

“But I’m going to continue to work hard. I do enjoy what I’m doing and I wish to continue doing it.”

It is not known when the Yukon NDP will be having its own nomination meetings.