Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon is hosting members of public accounts committees from across the country in Whitehorse.

The occasion is the 44th annual conference of the Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees (CCPAC).

Dixon chairs the Yukon Legislative Assembly’s public accounts committee and is president of the CCPAC for 2023. The committees examine the efficiencies of government spending.

The CCPAC gathers parliamentarians and legislators from across the country, as well as Auditors General from Ottawa and all provinces and territories.

Dixon opened the two-day conference Monday morning at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. He later led a panel discussion about national defence, the impact of global events on Canada, and ensuring the protection of Canadians.

Topics included Arctic defence and security, overall defence budgeting, and the impacts of defence spending and procurement.

“The history of the North has demonstrated the potential impacts of defence spending, and how it not only transforms local society and the economy but improves Canada’s overall presence in the Arctic,” said Dixon.

“This is why, after recent geopolitical events, I have called for a fully built-out Canadian Armed Forces base in the Yukon, as well as short and longer-term improvements to our military presence in the North.”

Other discussions during the conference included an update from each public accounts committee and audit office, cybersecurity threats, collaborating on climate change solutions, and government accountability.

The conference will conclude today.