Affordability, national sovereignty top of mind for many Yukon voters

Election campaign signs in downtown Whitehorse on Friday. (Paul Tukker/CBC)

By RCI, CBC News

CBC Yukon is asking voters what matters to them in this federal election

The federal election is just a few weeks away, and CBC Yukon has been talking to voters and asking what matters to them and what they want to hear from their candidates.

Tina Woodland of Whitehorse said Canadian sovereignty is her number-one issue.

“I’m a proud Canadian, and that I think our sovereignty is the first important thing — and then we can deal with any other issues we have after that. But let’s make sure that we remain Canada,” she said.

“My parents worked really hard to come to Canada and built a good life here. And I’m just really proud of our society and how we take care of each other.”

Amy Salloway of Dawson City also said Canadian sovereignty is one her main concerns. She also said things like abortion rights and trans rights are on her mind.

“We’re all humans and we all have rights and we all should have rights. It’s not a question of politics for me anymore, and hasn’t been for a while — specifically this year. It’s a question of humanity,” she said.

“It’s having rights and freedoms and having those enforced and everyone having those rights and freedoms, not just rich people.”

Jenna Roebuck, also in Dawson City, said she’s feeling a “lot of anxiety about the future.”

“I’ll be really wanting to see someone who can speak strongly against like, populism and some of the really troubling things that I think are happening in our world and some of the trends that I’m really scared about,” she said.

Dane Armstrong of Dawson City also said he’s looking for someone to represent his values. He said he’s concerned about what’s happening in the U.S. under the Trump administration.

“I just want people that are compassionate, honestly,” he said.

“Just the lack of compassion and empathy is leading to terrifying situations down there [in the U.S.], of people being treated less than human.”

Marjie Cowell of Whitehorse said she’s tired of hearing politicians “flinging mud instead of talking about the priorities.”

“Like just quit that. What are we, children?” Cowell asked.

She’s also concerned about how tax dollars are spent. She cited a recent announcement of $56 million in federal support for a new convention centre in Whitehorse.

“If we’re gonna be spending our money on things, then let’s start with the very basics that people need — like food, clothing, shelter. Let’s start there,” she said.

“As someone who’s an event planner, I’m excited [about the convention centre]. But at the same time, I had two immediate questions. One was, does it have to cost that much? And two, couldn’t that money go to better use when I see people living on the streets?

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Lisa Walker of Carcross says affordability is her number-one concern. She has two teenaged children and says she wants them to be able to have “good jobs and afford homes in safe communities.”

Walker attended a Conservative Party rally on Thursday in Whitehorse because she feels life has gotten harder over the last decade under the Liberal government.

“I’ve really noticed it’s very hard, with a good job and high-level education that I have, I find myself making choices at the grocery store that I’ve never had to make before. A jar of pickles was $10 — I had to put it back!” Walker said.

“I can no longer choose what I once did before, under what was the Stephen Harper government.”