Yukon NDP Wraps Up Sitting With Big Wins for Yukoners
November 24, 2022
Whitehorse — As the legislative sitting wraps up, the Yukon NDP Caucus is reflecting on a busy few months. While the Liberals dragged their feet and presented a disappointing agenda, the Yukon NDP secured big wins for Yukoners.
To date, the Yukon NDP has introduced and passed more Private Member’s Bills than any opposition party in history. The Yukon NDP is doing the work to prioritise the needs of Yukoners over party politics.
“From the public dental program to fair rent, reconciliation, better healthcare, and accountability — Yukoners are always at the heart of the work we do,” said Kate White, Leader of the Yukon NDP.
The Yukon NDP fought to advance the right of First Nations to have free, prior, and informed consent — it was a sad day for Yukoners to see that neither the Liberals nor the Yukon Party will honour the principle of consent for Yukon First Nations.
Yukoners also saw the Clean Energy Act pass, which Yukon NDP secured in the Confidence and Supply Agreement. This Act includes the territory’s most ambitious climate targets to date — with a 45% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
“The Clean Energy Act will ensure that governments respect bolder climate targets. Climate action can’t wait any longer, so we’re making sure it happens here in the Yukon,” said Emily Tredger, MLA for Whitehorse Centre and NDP critic for the Environment
Annie Blake, MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, also introduced a bill to make National Truth and Reconciliation Day a statutory holiday in the Yukon. The bill passed in the House with unanimous support.
“The history of colonisation and genocide by governments against Indigenous people is still felt today. Our bill echoes calls directly from Yukon First Nations and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action no. 80,” said MLA Blake. “This bill is one more step towards reconciliAction in the Yukon,” she added.
The Yukon NDP continues to hear from Yukoners about the changes they want to see happen in the territory. But every time a Yukoner’s story was shared with the Liberal government, they chose to question the truth of these experiences, instead of fixing the problems.
Meanwhile, Yukon NDP policies are working for Yukoners across the territory. From the hundreds of people who are protected by the rent cap, to the people using the supervised consumption site, to the workers who saw a raise in their wages, and the folks who will soon have dental coverage — these stories are the true accomplishments of the Yukon NDP/
“We have shown Yukoners what our vision for the future looks like. Where life is affordable, everyone gets the healthcare they need, and Indigenous rights are upheld. I’m so proud of the work we did this fall — everything we work on is grounded in the stories we hear from Yukoners,” said Kate White, leader of the Yukon NDP.
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