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There is good news for Yukon political junkies. There are more political debates on the Territory's horizon than there are vandalized Conservative Party signs on the side of the Alaska Highway. Here is a video of the most recent incident. And on a completely unrelated note, the author of this blog learnt a new word after realizing how the sign in question had been defaced.
The big issue is how many candidates will be at each debate. The Conservative candidate, Ryan Leef, has been a bit non-commital on which ones he will be attending. The other three candidates to be the next Yukon's MP (there was a Libertarian contender but he withdrew) are expected to be at almost all of them.
The Liberal, Larry Bagnell, is a fine debater, having a decades worth of being the Yukon's MP (2001-2011) under his belt. The NDP's Melissa Atkinson has lots of experience debating as a lawyer and as former chair of the Yukon Human Rights Commission. And the Greens Frank de Jong, a teacher, no doubt honed his debating skills dealing with his students. He was also the leader of the Green Party in Ontario for fifteen years.
And Ryan Leef? Well, he has been an Mixed Martial Arts figure, so hopefully that will stand him in good stead when it comes time to rumble north of sixty.
According to the Toronto Star, Conservative candidates have been told to avoid debates. In the Yukon that can work against a candidate. While the population is small (just over 37,000, of which about 24,000 are eligible voters) it is scattered over a geographically large area.
Whitehorse, the capital, has just under 28,000 people yet is spread out over 400 square kilometres. This means local media is important as not everyone is prepared to get out to meetings and forums to see the candidates in action. Local media is how people get their Yukon specific news and, more to the subject at hand, information about how the local political candidates performed in the local debates.
There are numerous local radio stations -- CBC North Whitehorse, CKRW, CHON, New Life FM, CFYT Dawson and, of course, the beloved Radio Free Tagish. In addition there are two main local newspapers, the Yukon News, which is perceived as being left leaning, and the Whitehorse Star, which is seen as not. While perhaps at opposite ends of the political spectrum, they do seem to both agree on one thing. In addition Dawson City has its own newspaper publication, The Klondike Sun.
In a community as small as the Yukon it is somewhat remarkable that there is such as a variety of radio and print media. Given that they are all desperate for content they tend to cover a lot of local events, and at election time that means the debates. So candidates better show up if they want local media coverage.
For those Yukoners who do like attending debates and seeing at least three of the four federal candidates in action, here is a list of the known events. Apologies in advance if the debate, time or place is wrong or not known. The reader would do well to confirm details with the organizers prior to attending.
Eat, Think, Vote: Community Meal with Candidates. Tuesday, Sept 22nd, 5-8pm. CYO Hall, Whitehorse.
Yukon Student Union forum: Wednesday, Sept 23rd, noon-1pm. Yukon College Pit, Whitehorse.
Forum électoral en français: Saturday, Sept 26th, 10:45am. High Country Inn, Whitehorse.
Council of Yukon First Nations forum, Tuesday, Sept 29th, 7-9pm. High Country Inn, Whitehorse.
Speed Date the Candidates: Wednesday, Sept 30th, 6pm. Old FireHall, Whitehorse.
Environment Forum: Tuesday, Oct 6th, 6-9pm. Old FireHall, Whitehorse.
Bringing Youth Towards Equality forum: Wednesday, Oct 7th, 5:30pm. Baked Cafe, Whitehorse.
CBC North (Whitehorse) debate: Thursday, Oct 8th, 6:30pm. High Country Inn, Whitehorse.
Yukon Chamber of Commerce debate: Wednesday, Oct 14th, 6:30pm. Location TBA, Whitehorse.
Be aware that municipal candidates might be at some of these events as well. They might not have a position on new fighter jets, but they will hopefully be informed about forthcoming recycling initiatives.
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