Jonas J. Smith has always been an independent type.

He is, of course, the former Conservative Party of Canada candidate who is now running as an independent after falling afoul of some intra-party politics.

In 2019, he came within a hair’s breadth of dethroning Liberal incumbent Larry Bagnell, the popular and generally-respected political veteran.

With Bagnell bowing out, to many, Smith appeared poised to end the Liberal string of election success – even against a high-profile but neophyte candidate in the form of Dr. Brendan Hanley.

That was derailed when the Conservatives gave Smith the boot for vaccine policy-related reasons which remain somewhat unclear.

The party made vague comments that Smith wasn’t toeing the party line on subjects such as vaccine passports and mandatory vaccines in the work place – only to have party leader Erin O’Toole use the same concepts that Smith was advocating only a day later.

It’s all murky and inexplicable, but Smith is simultaneously trying to work past it, while also using it as a springboard to connect with offended and outraged Conservative supporters in the Yukon.

“I have been interested in politics for as long as I can remember,” Smith told the Star.

“As a kid, I was attracted to the political undertones of my parents’ music from the ’60s; as a teen I was interested in the politics of punk rock. Before turning to politics as a career in my late thirties, I spent 20 years in the hospitality industry, where there is no shortage of political discussion among the happy hour crowd.

“And I believe politics are particularly important in the Yukon, given the immediacy of government decisions on our small population and unique governance model.”

Back in 2019, after his narrow loss to Bagnell, Smith had pretty much made his mind up to try his luck again in the political arena. Even with the loss, he was hooked on the political arena.

“I had always thought about running ‘one day,’ but assumed it would be on the territorial level and closer to the end of my career,” Smith said.

“In 2018, I was still representing the Yukon on the Conservative Party’s national council, and it was my job to recruit potential candidates, but the more people I approached the more they all suggested I run myself.

“After losing the 2019 election by such a narrow margin, I had many supporters encourage me to remain engaged, most of whom also encouraged me to run as an independent this time.”

Smith noted that his personal concepts and opinions were closely reflected in the party positions. That’s why he thought running for the party was a good fit.

“Many of my ideas ended up in the Conservative platform, though much of the Yukon context was lost in the lowest-common-denominator national campaign approach.

“But they weren’t necessarily my ideas; they came from thousands of conversations with Yukoners I’ve had over the years,” Smith said.

“Most Yukoners ultimately have similar priorities – responsible investment in public infrastructure, quality health care for their families, balancing the economy and environment – and the ideas with common support are always the best.”

As an independent, he said, “I am excited I am now free to support Yukon-specific priorities beyond the traditional conservative realm as well.”

Smith said he’s not concerned with nor is he thinking about the potential for splitting the Conservative vote, as seems likely.

“I am solely focused on earning the trust and votes of people from across the political spectrum and demonstrating that I am the best candidate to represent all Yukoners’ interests in Parliament, regardless of their historic voting tendencies,” he said.

“I’ve had people draw comparisons with (former Liberal cabinet minister) Jody Wilson-Raybould, who was also removed from her party for standing by her principles, and I think people are attracted to integrity, which is why she was successfully re-elected as an independent,” Smith said.

“A similar scenario played out last month in Nova Scotia, where Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin was removed from her party over her differences regarding COVID policy, yet was elected (provincially) as an independent with over 50 per cent of the vote.

“So, while I’m not different myself, I think the times we are living in are. Voters prefer principles over partisanship.

“I think the results of both the 2019 federal election and this spring’s territorial election demonstrate the polarization in politics these last few years, and unfortunately the pandemic has likely only exacerbated things, Smith said.

“I am hearing from traditional supporters of all parties who have had enough partisanship, even from those who badly want to see a change in government.

“With the reality that the election’s outcome will be decided by voters in Ontario and Quebec, as an independent voice for the entire territory, I can effectively represent all Yukoners’ interests, regardless of which party forms government.”

Smith already has some very clear priorities in mind if he wins.

“I want to see a return to normal, socially and economically, that focuses our efforts on protecting our most vulnerable while respecting Yukoners’ freedoms and personal choices.

“I want to work with public and First Nations governments, the private sector and NGOs to address our housing shortage. I think the best way Yukoners can do our part for the environment and climate change is to work together to develop clean energy project,” Smith added.

“I also think the pandemic has revealed how fragile our health care system is and want to train Yukoners to help Yukoners in our communities.”

Since he has a practical streak, and knows the tendency of independent candidates to fail at being elected, Smith also has plans for an alternate future.

“I’ll go back back to being a dad. My wife works in health care, and in my family when the pandemic hit, she was the one who picked up more shifts while I put my professional career on hold to stay home with the kids, so I have first-hand appreciation of what a lot of families have been going through this last year and a half.

“I imagine though that between packing lunches, grocery shopping and school drop-off and pick-up, I will still find a way to earn a living and remain engaged in the causes that are important to Yukoners.”