Photo by Whitehorse Star
Premier Sandy Silver
Silver plans to meet opposition leaders to discuss path ahead
Premier Sandy Silver told Commissioner Angélique Bernard this morning he intends to form the next territorial government.
Premier Sandy Silver told Commissioner Angélique Bernard this morning he intends to form the next territorial government.
“This morning, I met with the Commissioner to discuss the path forward, following the election results of April 12th,” Silver said in a post-meeting statement.
“I indicated that I intended to form the next government and to demonstrate that I am able to gain the confidence of the legislative assembly.
“In the coming days, I will speak with the leader of the New Democrats and the leader of the Yukon Party to discuss ways we can work together.” Silver added.
“The objective of those discussions is to find a way forward that will ensure confidence and supply is achieved in the assembly.”
The results of the election in Vuntut Gwitchin will take another step with a Yukon Supreme Court judicial recount set for 3 p.m. today. If necessary, a drawing of lots will follow.
“While that will have some bearing on my next steps, it will not alter the fact that we are in a minority situation regardless of the result,” Silver said.
“Pending the outcome of discussions with other party leaders, it is my intention to swear in a cabinet shortly and to test the confidence of the house with a Speech from the Throne and one or more budget bills.”
The Liberals’ proposed 2021-22 fiscal year budget, worth $1.8 billion, was not passed before the legislature was dissolved last month and the election was called.
After the “official addition” process was carried out by Elections Yukon last Thursday morning, the Vuntut Gwitchin results remained tied at 78 votes apiece between Liberal candidate Pauline Frost and NDP challenger Annie Blake.
If the votes remain tied after today’s recount, the presiding judge will become the tie-breaker by drawing lots. The process will be held in Whitehorse.
In a news release, the elections office stated “the Official Addition was conducted today in the 19 returning offices across the territory.
“This process involves opening the sealed ballot boxes to remove the Statement of the Poll and to officially add up the numbers of ballots cast for each candidate and the number of rejected ballots.
“On completion, the returning officer declares the name of the candidate for whom the greatest number of ballots were cast. A Certificate of Official Addition is produced and signed. This is the official count.”
There were minor changes in two ridings that don’t affect the results of the votes.
In Porter Creek Centre, three additional votes were added to the total votes received by Liberal candidate Paolo Gallina, bringing his total to 646. The winner, Yvonne Clarke of the Yukon Party, took 704 votes.
In Lake Laberge, 10 additional votes were added to Liberal Tracey Jacobs’ tally, bringing her to 229 votes. Brad Cathers, the Yukon Party incumbent since 2002, lured 799 votes.
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Comments (30)
Up 8 Down 12
DMZ on Apr 23, 2021 at 10:40 am
Sandy Silver and his government are paying a small price for countless slights of opposition parties (and by extension a lot of constituents) when they had a majority, and there's a bit of satisfaction in that. "The emergency measures act doesn't require oversight" being on the acute end of the scale.
But Currie Dixon is already hinting at his bully side, which I haven't forgotten from his time with the Yukon Party and was hoping he matured out of. It's one thing to have confidence, but strutting his "I'm the next premier of the Yukon" attitude could get old pretty quickly. I'm already there.
Just be a good opposition, because Kate White has made it clear she's not interested in challenging anything to do with pandemic restrictions, so there's a vacuum there.
Up 13 Down 6
Joe on Apr 22, 2021 at 9:44 pm
@observer... aha Moystyn.. we don't really know who the governing party is today. We know the former government is trying to convince the majority of Yukoners who didn't vote for them they should still be government but it's not gaining any traction. As a matter of fact, the YP are gaining momentum, there’s rumours of NDP and liberal individuals considering jumping onto the YP bandwagon and it's not not so far out to think Kate and Currie could form an alliance. All that to say I wouldn't jump on soap box and yell winner just yet. Most Yukoners want Currie YP be premier.
Up 9 Down 22
Overcast on Apr 22, 2021 at 4:33 pm
@ Guncache
....and who is the governing party today? Oh right NOT the YP.
Hahahaha. Losers.
Up 18 Down 5
Just Sayin' on Apr 22, 2021 at 3:25 pm
Overcast, 67.4% voted against the Liberals. That's gotta hurt even more.
Up 12 Down 3
Groucho d'North on Apr 22, 2021 at 12:54 pm
@Observer,
It sounds like you are quoting from the newest Liberal election main messages book. I didn't know it was available yet, but with the budget now out I should have expected the listings of defense bafflegab to be issued at the same time.
Do me a favor and post which page of the budget lists how many millions of our tax dollars will be gifted to UN pet projects in other nations. Or will the First Nations' water dilemma be fixed instead?
Up 9 Down 25
Observer on Apr 21, 2021 at 9:46 pm
Oh Jim, please stop with the Liberal being big time spenders, at least they spend it on everyone, unlike the cons who like to spend it on themselves and well connected friends.
You try to make it sound like cons are responsible spenders, which is a pile of you know what and most Yukoners see that.
Up 16 Down 9
Guncache on Apr 21, 2021 at 6:37 pm
To Overcast. It took 2 parties together to get more votes than the single Yukon party. The Yukon Party, 39.3 % of the popular vote. Lieberals 32.3 % and NDP, 28.1 %, not to far behind the Liberals. I guess that's 67.4 % against the Liberals
Up 14 Down 20
Overcast on Apr 21, 2021 at 2:11 pm
@ Guncache
Okay....sounds like a fun game. 60.4% of Yukoners voted AGAINST the Conservatives.
That's gotta hurt.
Up 17 Down 4
Groucho d'North on Apr 21, 2021 at 10:31 am
It's nice to see the balance of power the electorate created quite by accident, as most of us did not confer or conspire to plan this outcome.
I anticipate greater dialog between the parties will benefit the Yukon in a number of ways. Like what gets changed and why and to what improvement?
I hope the electorate remains vocal on issues and what WE want despite what was promised over the past month.
Up 16 Down 10
Joe on Apr 20, 2021 at 10:29 pm
@..overcast.. you got it all wrong, better analogy would be habs get 5 goals and leafs get 5 goals and leafs get the win because it's home ice even though habs played better, got less penalties, and have way more fans.
Up 13 Down 7
Guncache on Apr 20, 2021 at 10:16 pm
To Overcast. I'm quite aware how elections work. I merely stated a greater percentage of the voters favored the Yukon Party. I know it hinges on ridings.
Up 26 Down 11
Jim on Apr 20, 2021 at 6:41 pm
It would have been bad if we had ended up with the same old non-transparent, non-consulting, spend like drunken sailors, left wing liberals. But I believe we will see much worse. Similar to the Feds, a lame government propped up by a further left wing party. Or like BC was with the Green Party holding Horgan ransom. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. Hang on to your wallet.
Up 19 Down 15
Overcast on Apr 20, 2021 at 4:13 pm
@Guncache
Your math means literally nothing. Elections are not decided on 'percentage' of votes. Try to pay attention.
It's like the Leafs getting 3 goals and the Habs getting 5 goals and you complaining that the Leafs should have won because they had more shots on goal than the Habs.
Up 10 Down 40
Crunch on Apr 20, 2021 at 2:33 pm
The comment about Pauline Frost is bang on. Here is a woman who worked night and day trying to solve big issues while her counterparts and leader hid behind her. To say that these people got re-elected and she did not is a travesty beyond words. Don't worry Karma will bury you guys!!
Up 19 Down 45
Tables have turned on Apr 20, 2021 at 10:09 am
@Huh?: "the majority of Yukoners get the gov they voted for": well, 60% didn't vote for Yukon Party, so why on earth would the Premier hand it over to them?
Conservatives arguing for electoral reform...I love it! When they stand to benefit from FPTP, they don't say a thing, but when things don't work out in their favour, they whine and complain about FPTP, how it's not fair, etc. Conservatives: can you feel the pain? Your cognitive dissonance delights me.
Up 19 Down 28
Wes on Apr 20, 2021 at 8:03 am
The only time any party/voters complain about first past the post is when it’s close and they lose. Otherwise, it’s a non starter.
Show me where a YP candidate, successful or otherwise, ran on proportional representation as an issue. Exactly, because FPTP usually favours the status quo.
Sure, let’s change our electoral system, but I can think of bigger issues at present than Curries ego.
Up 28 Down 7
motive unclear on Apr 20, 2021 at 7:25 am
Best outcome possible. A hamstrung gubbamint! Unable to act without consensus. Unable to form consensus. Perfect.
Unfortunately, here, this is the best outcome we can hope for. The worst is a majority govt where too much power rests within one tiny cabbage. Other forms of govt are possible.
One that is working better than most exists in Switzerland, where seven leaders meet to decide on policy and any decision of any real consequence is put to the people themselves, easily done through this thing we have now called the internet.
What we have in Canada posing as a political system, is clearly not working for anyone except those within that system.
Up 27 Down 15
Glad it's a minority government on Apr 20, 2021 at 12:26 am
Sure glad it's a minority government. Sure wish we'd have a government that was honest, with integrity and not making decisions without asking people what they want--rather just slamming and stuffing certain decisions down people's throats, like saying it's all Brendan Hanley's decision for full time school when clearly the government could have sent grade 10-12's back in January or for that matter full time all year, just like BC who had so many cases and still did full time for everybody! Just wish it wasn't Pauline Frost who got ousted--she actually tried and had a very hard portfolio with little support where she needed it. The liberals better hope like hell they do a cabinet shuffle. Enough of your non-consultation--the election results tell you we're fed up with it. Don't be surprised by what will befall you - you brought it on.
Up 10 Down 20
Josey Wales on Apr 19, 2021 at 11:12 pm
Gee...this is how East Germany came to be...sorta
The SS is meeting with Churchill & the Communists to achieve a "League of Nations"?
...and our wee cold war, continues within our nations deep freeze of its cold war with SS counterparts at the helm.
Treating most actual citizens as insurgence, mandating us to our ghettos, setting up Gestapo check points, snitch lines, internment camps, metric Waco in AB etc.
SS off to Brazil with your kind, establish your cult there.
Given all the political theater being played out by so so many state actors?
pontificate this please folks...where is our Normandy, where is our Juno beach?
...lest I suggest too many forgot?
real life hero's of all ethnicities came together to FIGHT like hell SEVERAL times in our Canadian history. Ridding the world of fascists...TOGETHER!
Now, divided ...we just give it away, let them take it.
To idiots and a hat draw? Told ya, by absolute design.
Never in the field of Canadian politics has so much been destroyed by so few.
This is not, our finest hour!
Laced with hyperbolic sarcasm, contextual parallels and a metric version of Winston Churchill...since we now live in bizarro world of upside down and make believe.
Oh yeah...the other post? A far more legit means of stimulating discourse but both are..."essential". Yes I am bias, as I identify as someone that makes the rules.
I deemed them essential, gee...I feel a lust for absolute POWER surging within?
I gotta get a good sleep, busy day deeming tomorrow, making up nonsense on my "list" of things no longer desired, enforcement protocols/fines etc.
Up 16 Down 42
Yukoner '64 on Apr 19, 2021 at 10:48 pm
Oh to be a fly on the wall in the first Yukon Party Caucus meeting! All of the Yukon Party MLAs are old enough to be Currie Dixon's grandparents, yet they all have to answer to him as their new boss. Ouch, that must sting.
In my family, I like to pass on knowledge to my grand kids, not have them try to impart their wisdom on me. ha ha (except when it comes to electronics!).
Up 32 Down 18
Guncache on Apr 19, 2021 at 7:32 pm
So Sandy Silver has announced he is going to form the new government even though he only won on a technicality. The Liberal party took 32.37 % of the vote or 6,142 votes. On the other hand the Yukon Party took 39.32 % of the vote or 7,477 votes. My math says that's 1,335 more people that don't want Sandy Silver.
Up 28 Down 16
Cotton on Apr 19, 2021 at 6:57 pm
@ Huh?
Grade 8 must have been pretty tough on you eh? That’s not how any of this works, your boy Currie explained it during what I guess was his ‘concession’ speech: the governing party continues to govern until it can’t, then there is an election.
None of the 3 parties have an appetite for an election nor do the electorate. A minority government serves a great purpose here to advance policies from all parties through collaboration and understanding.
This was the Cons election to win but they failed, put on your big boy pants and move on.
Up 20 Down 22
BnR on Apr 19, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Huh? wrote: "Problem solved and the majority of Yukoners get the gov they voted for"
Huh indeed.
Libs received 6142, YP received 7477, NDP received 5356. The majority of Yukoners did NOT vote for the YP.
Up 35 Down 16
Cameron on Apr 19, 2021 at 6:31 pm
What an epic disaster. This all is a toothless, powerless government who narrowly held on. What is honestly going to get done now ? The only good news here is Minister Frost is no more. How utterly humiliating to lose by a draw. What goes around comes around ......how long do you think this situation is going to last before another election is called .... DISASTER but that is the liberals.
Up 23 Down 22
CaptainObvious on Apr 19, 2021 at 6:17 pm
It'd be only fair for the YP to provide the Speaker. It'd be a down payment on its pledge to work together for the betterment of Yukoners. If it doesn't, then the opposite would be true.
Up 23 Down 2
Dan Davidson on Apr 19, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Proportional representation has been rejected by voters everywhere in Canada that it has been proposed. Not having the incumbent take the first attempt to form government would be a distinct change in parliamentary procedure, and certainly not something that either of the other two parties tried out when they had minority status. Minorities are precarious, so you folks who like to post anonymously such courage of your convictions will probably get your wish sooner than later.
Up 18 Down 15
Juniper Jackson on Apr 19, 2021 at 5:27 pm
The Liberals have never done the "right thing" just because it was the right thing to do. I thought exposure would be enough, that reasonable people might ask, 'why is Terry dead again" "Why did you extend our borrowing power 800K, didn't say a word until they got caught".. 'why did you cover up details on the building of hope decisions?" You know, all kinds of questions. But, exposure did not work. They are still there. The Liberals are not going to "work" with anyone. Traditionally, it's the Liberal way or the Highway.
Up 7 Down 13
Josey Wales on Apr 19, 2021 at 5:20 pm
CBC...Whitehorse Star and our Yukon News...and others curious.
Why in all this "political" mess is no one in our media asking/getting CLEAR citable information as to WHO now has a signature on said "mandate" CURRENTLY?
John used to be the one with his autograph, his team is not in charge.
Educate not only this hillbilly, but others on such a very, very valid query.
Frankly it should have been THEE headlines, that question, the very day after the theater of voting...
As I see it, our MANDATE is completely done and we are acting like trained circus seals without handlers.
Why can this be so ignored...Star, seriously please do an article on EXACTLY that question. It all was non constitutional prior...now beyond bazaar the theater still is playing the show.
Up 53 Down 24
Max Mack on Apr 19, 2021 at 4:44 pm
And suddenly proportional representation is of no interest to the Liberals.
What a surprise. Smirk.
As "going forward", I am totally on board with ending the fake emergency. Let life return to normal. That is what all parties and politicians should focus on.
Up 76 Down 31
Huh? on Apr 19, 2021 at 3:41 pm
But who will be the speaker of the house. Use to be Clark, but they can't have a liberal speaker now because that means a loss of a vote. So they could ask the NDP to be the speaker, but that means NDP loses a vote, same for YP.
The best thing to happen for the best interests of the Yukon would be this. Sandy Silver says, "no we will not form government." YP forms government, the speaker is a liberal and voila! Problem solved and the majority of Yukoners get the gov they voted for.
But he won't do that. Sometimes the right moves are the hard ones. I don't see Silver doing anything right or hard.
Please, prove me wrong. You won't, but the challenge is there.