A second potential federal candidate for the New Democrats has stepped out of the party's shadows.

Long-time party worker Pam Boyde announced this morning she wants to be the New Democratic Party's candidate for the Yukon riding in the upcoming federal election.

Boyde, 56, worked for the territorial NDP governments of Tony Penikett and Piers McDonald. She was a long-time aide for McDonald, the government leader from 1996 to 2000.

In that NDP government, Boyde served as McDonald's executive assistant.

This morning, Boyde made her announcement standing on the train tracks at the city's waterfront next to the White Pass and Yukon Route depot.

After the announcement, she was asked why she is stepping out of the backrooms and putting her name on a ballot.

'Since I've been out of politics and a lot of people have been grumbling about what's been going on at the federal level, I thought it was time for me to stand up and do something about it,' she said.

'I think, with my experience in working in government before, I can bring something to the federal table to make things better here.

'I am a woman of action. I get things done. I am prepared to represent the Yukon to be the voice of the Yukon.'

During her speech, Boyde railed against the federal Liberal party for its treatment of unemployment insurance, making it harder for workers to qualify for benefits. She also slammed the Liberal government for the damage it has done with the nation's health care system.

She also said it's important there are jobs for Canadians while protecting the environment at the same time.

'Like so many Yukoners, I feel the federal governments of recent years have mismanaged our money and instituted policies that work hard working Canadians,' she said.

Boyde noted that while it's not easy to unseat an incumbent like the Yukon's Liberal MP, Larry Bagnell, 'it's not impossible'.

'Citizens are disillusioned with what the Liberal party has been in government, what the Conservative party (has been). And we offer a new direction, and that's why I'm in there,' she said.

'When I get the nomination, how I will campaign is to show people what a strong force I will be to represent them, to bring their concerns to the table.'

She said she won't just listen but will also try to get results.

However, getting the nomination is the first step. Boyde will be running against local unionist Jean-Francois Des Lauriers.

Sources within the party indicated these two are likely the only candidates in the vote, which will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 3 at the Elks Hall in Whitehorse.

Boyde was asked about running against Des Lauriers for the nomination.

'That's a fair process; that's what we call democracy. And I think it's great that we have a race going,' she said.

'He will come forward with his perspective and I'm coming forward with mine and the members will make the decision on who they would like to represent our party and be the next prime I don't want to say prime minister member of Parliament. One step at a time.'

Since the territorial NDP's electoral defeat in 2000, Boyde has been working in wilderness tourism. She also said she has been working with Touch the North, a local consulting firm in which McDonald has been one of the principals.

McDonald, the former government leader and current president of the 2007 Canada Winter Games Host Society, was standing next to the railway tracks watching Boyde's announcement along with about 20 other supporters.

Current territorial NDP Leader Todd Hardy and Mount Lorne MLA Steve Cardiff were there as well.

After years of visiting the Yukon in the summers, Boyde and her husband moved to the territory for good in 1985.

See story on Bagnell's nomination meeting, p. 4.