Yukon’s territorial election campaign is set to kick off officially starting this Friday. Premier Mike Pemberton has announced his intention to request Yukon Commissioner Adeline Webber on Friday to dissolve the legislative assembly, scheduling the territorial election for Nov. 3. The announcement was made by Pemberton in Carcross on Thursday, where he was accompanied by several Liberal candidates.
The Liberals, led by Pemberton, are vying for a third mandate with a predominantly fresh lineup of candidates. Nearly all of the party’s existing MLAs have opted not to seek re-election. This campaign marks Pemberton’s debut as the party leader, having assumed the position earlier this year.
Pemberton emphasized the party’s focus on addressing housing, accessible healthcare, affordability, economic issues, and reconciliation. He highlighted housing as the top priority for the Liberals in this upcoming election.
Meanwhile, other parties defined their campaign themes on Thursday. NDP Leader Kate White stressed the significance of healthcare, while Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon positioned his campaign under the banner of “change.” Dixon expressed excitement following Pemberton’s election announcement.
Notably, this election will be the first since some of the territory’s electoral districts were redrawn last year to accommodate population growth. The upcoming legislative assembly will feature two additional members representing the new Whitehorse ridings of Whistle Bend North and Whistle Bend South.
As the election date looms, and with the need to be held on or before Nov. 3, Pemberton waited until the eleventh hour to call for the election, citing the necessity for ample preparation time. None of Yukon’s seven Liberal cabinet ministers are seeking re-election, with only incumbent Liberal Jeremy Harper, MLA for Mayo-Tatchun, running this time.
Since 2021, the Liberals have maintained a minority government supported by the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) with the Yukon NDP. CASA, initially signed in 2021 and renewed in 2023, included various demands from the NDP for their support in the legislature.
Additionally, voters will have the chance to participate in a plebiscite on electoral reform alongside the election on Nov. 3. The plebiscite will seek feedback on switching to a ranked ballot system from the current first-past-the-post method, with the ranked ballot system aiming to ensure candidates secure at least 50% of the vote for victory. The ranked ballot system was recommended by the citizen’s assembly on electoral reform last year.
For more details on the plebiscite, interested individuals can find information posted online.
