2020 Yukon Party leadership election
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| Turnout | 96%[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date | May 23, 2020[2][3] |
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| Convention | Gold Rush Inn, Whitehorse, Yukon |
| Resigning leader | Darrell Pasloski |
| Won by | Currie Dixon |
| Ballots | 1,491[1] |
The 2020 Yukon Party leadership election took place on May 23, 2020, to elect a leader to replace Darrell Pasloski, who resigned on November 7, 2016[4] after the 2016 Yukon general election, which resulted in the party's majority government being defeated and Pasloski losing re-election in Mountainview. Currie Dixon was elected after two ballots with a record turnout of 96% of registered Yukon Party voters.[1]
Timeline[edit]
2016[edit]
- November 7 - The general election is held, reducing the party's seat count from 11 to 6. Pasloski announces his resignation as leader.[4]
- November 17 - Stacey Hassard, MLA for Pelly-Nisutlin and former Minister of Economic Development, is named the interim leader of the party until a leadership election is held.[5]
2019[edit]
- 20 November - The election date is announced for May 23, 2020.[2]
- 21 November - Currie Dixon, former cabinet minister and former MLA for Copperbelt North, announces his candidacy.[6][7]
- 5 December - Brad Cathers, MLA for Lake Laberge, former cabinet minister and the longest-serving incumbent MLA, announces his candidacy.[8][9]
2020[edit]
- 14 January - Linda Benoit, former party president and treasurer, announces her candidacy.[10][11]
- 25 March - Party president Mark Beese announces that the leadership election will continue despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, opting to instead allow members to vote by phone or online.[3]
- 9 April at 6:00 PM PDT - Deadline to purchase membership to vote in leadership election.[12]
- 15 May - Voting opens both by phone and online.
- 23 May
- In-person voting opened at 10:00 AM PDT.
- Voting closed at 7:00 PM PDT.
- Currie Dixon is announced as the new leader at 8:00 PM PDT.
Candidates[edit]
Linda Benoit[edit]
- Background
Linda Benoit, 38, is a businesswoman from Faro who is a former party president, party treasurer, and official agent.
- Candidacy announced: 14 January 2020[10][11]
- Candidacy approved: 6 March 2020[12]
- Date registered with Elections Yukon:
- Campaign website: lindabenoit
.ca
- Policies
Endorsements of Linda Benoit
- MLAs:
- Federal politicians:
- Jonas Smith (Executive director of the Klondike Placer Miners' Association, former party president, 2019 federal Conservative candidate in Yukon)[13]
- Provincial and territorial politicians:
- Municipal politicians:
- Former MLAs:
- Former federal politicians:
- Former provincial and territorial politicians:
- Former municipal politicians:
- Former candidates:
- Other prominent individuals:
- Organizations:
- Media:
Brad Cathers[edit]
- Background
Brad Cathers, 42, is the incumbent MLA for Lake Laberge, having served since 2002. He is a former cabinet minister, having served under both Dennis Fentie and Darrell Pasloski for a cumulative eight years; his portfolios include justice, health and energy. Prior to his election as an MLA, Cathers worked as a businessman in the private sector.
- Candidacy announced: 5 December 2019[8][9]
- Candidacy approved: 6 March 2020[12]
- Date registered with Elections Yukon:
- Campaign website: bradcathers
.ca
- Policies
Endorsements of Brad Cathers
- MLAs:
- Federal politicians:
- Provincial and territorial politicians:
- Municipal politicians:
- Former MLAs:
- Former federal politicians:
- Former provincial and territorial politicians:
- Former municipal politicians:
- Former candidates:
- Other prominent individuals:
- Rob McIntyre (Principal of Resource Strategies)[14]
- Organizations:
- Media:
Currie Dixon[edit]
- Background
Currie Dixon, 34, is the former MLA for Copperbelt North and cabinet minister, having served from 2011 to 2016. He is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships at ALX Exploration and Mining Supplies.
- Candidacy announced: 21 November 2019[6][7]
- Candidacy approved: 6 March 2020[12]
- Date registered with Elections Yukon:
- Campaign website: curriedixon.ca
- Policies
Endorsements of Currie Dixon
- MLAs:
- Scott Kent (MLA for Copperbelt South)[15]
- Federal politicians:
- Provincial and territorial politicians:
- Municipal politicians:
- Former MLAs:
- Former federal politicians:
- Former provincial and territorial politicians:
- Former municipal politicians:
- Former candidates:
- Other prominent individuals:
- Organizations:
- Media:
Declined[edit]
- Scott Kent, MLA for Copperbelt South (2016–present), Riverdale North (2011–2016), Riverside (2001–2002). Endorsed Dixon.[15]
- Darrell Pasloski, former party leader (2011–2016), former Premier (2011–2016), former MLA for Mountainview (2011–2016).[4]
- Jonas Smith, executive director of the Klondike Placer Miners' Association, former party president, 2019 federal Conservative candidate in Yukon. Endorsed Benoit.[13]
- Elaine Taylor, former Deputy Premier (2005–2016), former cabinet minister, former MLA for Whitehorse West (2002–2016).
- Geraldine Van Bibber, MLA for Porter Creek North (2016–present), former Commissioner of Yukon (2005–2010).
Results[edit]
| Candidate | Round 1 | Round 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | % | Points | % | |
| Currie Dixon | 694 | 46.55% | 752 | 50.44% |
| Brad Cathers | 637 | 45.74% | 682 | 42.72% |
| Linda Benoit | 160 | 10.73% | ||
Notes[edit]
- ^ Resident of Faro.
- ^ Former MLA for Copperbelt North (2011–2016)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "2020 Yukon Party Leadership Election". Youtube. May 23, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ a b "Yukon Party sets date for leadership election in May". CBC News. November 20, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Yukon Party to go ahead with leadership vote this spring". CBC News. March 27, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c Tukker, Paul (November 7, 2016). "Yukon Liberals win majority after 14 years of conservative government". CBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ "Stacey Hassard named interim leader of Yukon Party". CBC News. November 17, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Kucharuk, Tim (November 22, 2019). "Yukon Party sees first leadership candidate". CKRW 96.1FM The Rush. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Currie Dixon wants to lead the Yukon Party". CBC News. November 22, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Kennedy, John (December 6, 2019). "Yukon Party leadership race gets second candidate". CKRW 96.1FM The Rush. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "MLA Brad Cathers joins Yukon Party leadership race". CBC News. December 6, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Gignac, Julien (January 14, 2020). "Longtime party supporter vies for Yukon Party leadership". Yukon News. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Linda Benoit joins race for Yukon Party leadership". CBC News. January 14, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Three Candidates Vie for Leadership of the Yukon Party". March 6, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Former federal candidate backs Benoit for Yukon Party leadership". Whitehorse Star. February 6, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ "Businessman endorses Cathers for leadership". Whitehorse Star. December 17, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Kent endorses Dixon as party leader". Whitehorse Star. March 11, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.