If elected to form government, the NDP would move forward on creating a Yukon university, says NDP Leader Todd Hardy.

'The NDP is in complete support of establishing a university in the North,' Hardy said this week.

In fact, the party is so committed to the idea, it will include the proposed post-secondary institution in its platform for the territorial election Premier Dennis Fentie must call by November.

Hardy said it is just a matter of time until one of the three territories creates a university in the North, and he'd like to see the Yukon be first.

In terms of infrastructure, experience with creating post-secondary programming and ability to attract people to the territory, the Yukon is in the best position to establish a university, he added.

'You wouldn't believe the amount of people who have been talking about this for a long time,' said Hardy.

There is simply a need to get the political will and leadership behind the idea, he said.

A university in the Yukon should focus on a northern delivery and scope, he believes. There should also be opportunities to do research on climate change or becoming a true environmental university, he said.

'There will be people from all over the world coming to the Yukon.'

There is a great economic benefit to establishing a university in the territory, he added.

It injects money into the economy and it creates jobs. It draws professionals and expertise into the community while providing stimulus from the students, he said.

It also encourages the sharing of ideas, arts and culture in the realm of community development, he said.

'There's no such thing as a poor university town,' he said. 'Directly and indirectly, universities create thousands of well-paid, green jobs that don't impact very heavily on the environment. They also attract thousands of students from other parts of Canada as well as from other countries, and we know the benefits of that.

'This translates into all kinds of spinoff economic benefits for local businesses and residents.'

Hardy said he isn't suggesting the establishment of a full-fledged university to start.

A Yukon university could start with just one of two faculties and slowly grow, he said. There could also be the opportunity for satellite campuses or branches to develop in the future.

A university wouldn't necessarily have to compete with or supersede what is offered at Yukon College. Instead, Hardy said, they would likely grow to complement each other.

After a government makes the decision to establish a university, it could all come together very quickly, said Hardy, drawing reference to the University of Northern British Columbia.

In 1990, the B.C. government announced it would be establishing a university in Prince George. By 1992 the sod was being turned and in 1994 the university was officially opened.

It now has more than 3,500 students and offers 25 bachelor degrees, 14 masters programs and one doctoral program.

'There will be excitement and interest from the people once the political will is there,' said Hardy.

Federal funding is also forthcoming for a university, he added.

'(The current Yukon Party government) could do so much more to help Yukoners and their families if they could pursue a broader range of post-secondary education without having to leave their home territory,' he said.

Education Minister John Edzerza said the idea of a Yukon university is not new, but there are many pros and cons around it.

'Some people are interested; others say we don't need it,' said Edzerza. 'This government will continue to always seek the best interests of the citizens of the territory when it comes to education and post-secondary education.'

The Liberals, however, are also interested in exploring the possibility of a Yukon university, said Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell.

'It's actually something I've been interested in for a long time,' said Mitchell.

It would allow the Yukon to move forward in terms of research, he said, and also add value to the economy.

'I think there are several different models that could occur from a university college to the possibility of maintaining Yukon College but also parallel to that, having the beginnings of a university.'