Lisa Vollans-Leduc says she’s eager to get to work to fight for the MP seat longtime Liberal Larry Bagnell is vacating.

Vollans-Leduc is the newly-announced NDP candidate for the Yukon seat.

At a media conference Tuesday afternoon, she said she is looking forward to battling the other candidates for the position.

Vollans-Leduc is a political neophyte fighting her first major campaign, but is also a longtime advocate for social justice causes.

She’s lived in the Yukon for more than 18 years now, and is employed with the territorial Health and Social Services department. She has been a labour and human rights activist for 25 years. Vollans-Leduc's currently on leave as she campaigns.

Vollans-Leduc said she believes she has a realistic shot at winning the seat, despite her inexperience.

“Of course I do; thanks for the question. Canadians and Yukoners are ready for a change. I’m ready and I’ve never been more excited for anything in my life.

“This is a fabulous opportunity, and I think Yukoners will benefit with me as their MP,” Vollans-Leduc said.

In a combative tone, she said she’s looking forward to facing off with the other candidates.

“I’m 44 years old, and the NDP’s values line up so strongly with my own. I didn’t have to search any other political party,” she added.

“I’ve supported the NDP campaigns for the last three federal elections, and now I’m on this side of it.

“I also supported the NDP through the territorial election. People first, and the NDP are on your side. That really resonates for me.

“I’m interested in being part of change for Canada.”

Vollans-Leduc added, “I worked as a youth advocate for 16 years, and then I moved into policy with Health and Social Services. I’ve spent my life getting here today, and when I ventured into a political position, it felt so right.

“I felt that flow, and I’m really looking forward to being an advocate for all Yukoners by being MP for the NDP.”

As soon as she learned she’d been approved to be the candidate, she said, “I went down Main Street, and the number one issue is housing. It’s so big, and we want to ensure people have a place to live.”

Vollans-Leduc said reconciliation is also an important priority to her.

“Working with youth in custody highlighted this for me, and I want to do something to move forward with reconciliation,” she told reporters.

Vollans-Leduc noted climate change is also huge for her.

“For the past month, I’ve been dealing with flooding. It’s a lot of work, and it’s due to climate change.”

She would know that, as a resident of the Marsh Lake area.

That puts her on a collision course with the Liberal candidate, Dr. Brendan Hanley, who is espousing the same ideas.

She is also facing the newly-announced Conservative candidate, Barb Dunlop, and independent candidate Jonas Smith – who ran as a Conservative in 2019.

The Green Party of Canada is slated to announce a candidate later this afternoon.

Vollans-Leduc didn’t sound at all intimidated by the challenge.

“I work hard,” she said. “I’m a tireless advocate. I don’t believe being Yukon MP just means I represent the people who voted for me. It’s all Yukoners. We have an obligation to Canadians.

“Where people are unhappy or are arguing, there is always a middle point you can get to that you can build on,” the candidate added. I will always look for that.

“I’m going to work really hard, and I understand the policy processes and how to communicate.

“I’m ready, and what I’m not ready for I’m interested in learning about. I won’t stop until I can have an answer,” she said.