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Currie Dixon
Yukon Party leader reports on the AGM, wishes best for O’Toole
The Yukon Party conducted its annual general meeting via Zoom video call on Saturday for the first time in its history.
The Yukon Party conducted its annual general meeting via Zoom video call on Saturday for the first time in its history.
“We had a really good turnout,” Currie Dixon, who became the party leader in May, told the Star today.
“The party wrestled with whether to have an in-person meeting or not.”
About 100 people registered to attend the virtual gathering.
“The party is obviously very strong right now,” Dixon said.
“There was a lot of interest and engagement.”
The party elected its new executive board on Saturday. Melanie Brais was elected the new president.
Dixon took the opportunity to update party members on the first 10 weeks of his leadership.
He said he has spent this summer travelling through the Yukon, visiting nearly every community.
“What I heard from Yukoners was that this (Liberal) government seems to be out of touch with Yukoners, so I was able to report back the thoughts of Yukoners to membership,” Dixon said.
“It was really positive.”
Dixon said the government’s handling of schools reopening and the planned changes to the medical system are two examples of how they are failing to communicate with Yukoners.
“I think the only thing crazier than trying to reopen schools during a pandemic without talking to teachers is trying to rehaul the health system without talking to doctors,” Dixon said.
“We discussed how this is the most undemocratic government in Yukon’s history.”
The party and new executive will now be focusing on readying for the next election, Dixon said. The Liberals’ five-year mandate will expire in late 2021.
Dixon also commented on the election of Erin O’Toole as the federal Conservative party leader (see story).
“Erin campaigned with a strong mandate for the North, so I look forward to working with him and his colleagues to implement his view,” Dixon said.
“We wish him all the best.”
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Comments (13)
Up 13 Down 3
Guild on Aug 28, 2020 at 11:56 pm
@Groucho
True, this government is doing worse than the last guys when it comes to ethics. But the last government had plenty of ethics problems as well, in fact, name me one Prime Minister whose government didn't have any scandals. When it comes to this, all politicians are the same unfortunately (aside from Trump who is a million times worse appointing all of his family members to key positions).
Personally I choose who to vote for based on their policy positions since those are the things that ultimately affect our everyday lives.
Up 9 Down 11
Mike H on Aug 28, 2020 at 6:00 pm
@ Groucho d'North
First off, parliament is NOT prorogued. That is a bald faced lie. Guess which party was the last to actually prorogue parliament? And the one before that? Your good buddy Harper!
The opposition parties, despite all the sh*t slinging and screaming are actually supporting this minority government. None of them can afford an election or would live through the backlash from voters if they trigger one.
Now, we are in unprecedented times. Sit down, put on your big boy pants and hang on, we’re in for a wild ride.
Up 20 Down 17
Groucho d'North on Aug 28, 2020 at 3:12 pm
@Mike H
As I interpret the emerging Take Canada Back slogan I am hopeful that it will encourage changes to the relationship of politics and the public. Today a government - and not even a majority - can do whatever it wants with very little concern for how we taxpayers feel. Our current government's leadership is a regular performer in front of the Ethics Commissioner, our debt is running out of sight and even with Parliament prorogued Trudeau is borrowing even more billions to spend as he wants. The Canadian public needs a hammer to deal with getting governments such as we have today back in order and working to the greater good of the nation, further, I think it would be in our collective interest for the electorate to determine the topics the government should be working on. Today they think they have a mandate to do whatever they want with zero accountability. Canadians need to take back the role of determining how our nation will advance into the future...it's too important to leave it up to the opportunists who get elected.
Up 37 Down 18
Mike H on Aug 27, 2020 at 8:26 am
Wondering if Currie also supports O’Toole’s new conservative motto of ‘Take back Canada’ and who exactly are we taking Canada back from?
I gotta say I had hopes Currie would take the high road rather than forcing division like we see in the US.
Up 44 Down 27
Snowman on Aug 25, 2020 at 10:40 pm
Mr.Dixon has taken over the leadership months ago, yet the Yukon Party has yet to take a position on anything. Is this because he doesn't know enough to take a position or is he just scared to? Where does he stand with the border re-opening and law suit but the business yahoos? Where does he stand on First Nations closing down hunting unilaterally? Where does he stand on re-opening schools? Where does he stand on carbon pricing?
I actually can't believe he beat Brad Cathers without having a single policy idea or position while Cathers laid out very specific policies and plans (not saying I agreed with him, but at least he demonstrated a backbone). It says a lot about the Yukon Party members that they preferred someone who stood for nothing (and still doesn't). If you want to lead this territory, you should demonstrate a bit of courage in your convictions instead of saying "we just need to ask more questions".
Up 38 Down 24
Groucho d'North on Aug 25, 2020 at 12:35 pm
@pops
I think you are assuming that certain contributors to these forums have some special ability to skew the votes in either direction. It has been demonstrated in the past that some level of organization among political bedfellows has been coordinated to support or crush a statement made here. If you read as much national media as I do each day you will also find that the comments sections are growing with more Canadians (&some others I expect) expressing their opinions on the performance of our elected officials and most notably those marching under the red Liberal flag. Their recent history has angered many who have never written to media to express their disappointment and frustration with politicians who have lost touch with the public they took an oath to serve.
The blatant lack of accountability of Mr. Trudeau and the system he has learned to work so well, where he thumbs his nose at taxpayers and repeatedly violates the ethics guidebook has struck a cord with many of us in the great unwashed ranks. Many are angry at the system which allows this behaviour to continue without penalty for the offenders who are paid handsomely to boot when many taxpayers are existing from paycheque to paycheque and will never attain the pension benefits the elected people have established for themselves. There will always be political division in Canada and while far too many bury their heads in the sand and remain ignorant of the abuses the electeds get away with, there is a growing segment of the electorate who are educating themselves and are speaking out against the corruption, lying and misdirection that has become common among some political parties of late. One of the benefits an election is to better illustrate how large the silent majority really is.
Up 41 Down 44
Cliff on Aug 25, 2020 at 7:44 am
"“The party is obviously very strong right now,” Dixon said."
What's that stench?
Up 22 Down 54
Pops mcgee on Aug 24, 2020 at 9:02 pm
Curious as to how the anonymous/unaccountable right wing trolls on here are able to up or downvote multiple times.
Maybe the star get verified comments section like a real news site? Or are they are dependent on right wing trolls and bots?
Up 35 Down 31
Henry Wensleydale on Aug 24, 2020 at 8:13 pm
When is Dixon going to start cleaning house ?
Log Cabin Cathers, Sanctimonious Stacey and Snivelling Scott all need to be shown the door.
Up 32 Down 16
Gordon of Riverdale on Aug 24, 2020 at 8:08 pm
"I think the only thing crazier than trying to reopen schools during a pandemic without talking to teachers is trying to rehaul the health system without talking to doctors,”
NOOOOO Dickie Doo !
Taking away resource rights from people that own them would be crazier !
Up 33 Down 43
Allan Stanley on Aug 24, 2020 at 5:07 pm
YEESH !
"Rape the Peel" Dixon seems to think we've forgotten the Pasloski Government
and the huge part that he played in it.
Up 42 Down 27
Stuart on Aug 24, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Jason.....Cons spent the cupboards bare? In what world do you live? Have you seen what the Libs have been doing to our territory? They have decimated our finances and have now asked the Feds to extend our debt cap by $400 million. I can't wait to vote YP next election. Nice try though.
Up 47 Down 72
jason on Aug 24, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Pasloski literally bailed out the golf course board he was on to the tune of $800k. Cons spent the cupboards bare, which is absolutely ridiculous in our advantageous fiscal position. CoW outright refused to work with Cathers when he was Minister ... Do I need to go on? ... The Liberal bashing is starting a little early Currie. Maybe clean up the Yp's rep a little first?