Thursday, December 18, 2025
ADVT 
National

Voting begins in Yukon election, with non-binding electoral reform also on ballot

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Nov, 2025 09:55 AM
  • Voting begins in Yukon election, with non-binding electoral reform also on ballot

The polls have opened in a Yukon territorial election where voters are also being asked for their say on possible electoral reform.

The Yukon Liberals went into the race as a minority government holding eight out of 19 seats in the legislature, governing through an agreement with the three territorial New Democrats.

The election represents the first substantial challenge for Liberal Premier Mike Pemberton who was elected party leader in June but does not have a seat in the legislature.

It is the first territorial election with 21 ridings after several boundaries were redrawn, but the Liberals were only able to find 18 candidates to go up against full slates from the NDP and the Opposition Yukon Party.

NDP Leader Kate White or Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon would become the first Yukon-born premier to run the territory if either of their parties form government.

Yukoners will also be asked to vote in a non-binding plebiscite on whether to change the current first-past-the-post electoral system to ranked ballots.

Health care, housing and the economy were some of the key issues during the month-long campaign, with promises ranging from hospital expansions to funding post-secondary education for health-care and education workers who agree to stay in the territory after graduation.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Kelly

MORE National ARTICLES

Wildfire near B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway triggers evacuation order and alerts

Wildfire near B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway triggers evacuation order and alerts
The Coquihalla Highway was closed Wednesday in the stretch near the blaze and remains shuttered between Hope and Merritt, with motorists advised to take Highways 1 and 3 as alternatives.

Wildfire near B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway triggers evacuation order and alerts

Surrey Launches Simplified Online Portal for Cultural, Community, and Policing Grants

Surrey Launches Simplified Online Portal for Cultural, Community, and Policing Grants
User-friendly webforms will now replace PDFs, making the process smoother and more accessible.  

Surrey Launches Simplified Online Portal for Cultural, Community, and Policing Grants

Margaret Atwood takes aim at Alberta's school library books ban with satirical story

Margaret Atwood takes aim at Alberta's school library books ban with satirical story
In a social media post on Sunday, Atwood said since the literary classic is no longer suitable in Alberta's schools, she has written a short story for 17-year-olds about two "very, very good children" named John and Mary.

Margaret Atwood takes aim at Alberta's school library books ban with satirical story

Phone services, including the 911 landline, down in northern Vancouver Island

Phone services, including the 911 landline, down in northern Vancouver Island
Other communities on Vancouver Island, including Alert Bay, Campbell River and Port Alice, have also been affected.

Phone services, including the 911 landline, down in northern Vancouver Island

Five things to know about public service job action in British Columbia

Five things to know about public service job action in British Columbia
The union says talks over a new contract broke down in July, after the expiry of the previous contract on March 31. It says it's seeking improved wages as staff battle an affordability crisis.

Five things to know about public service job action in British Columbia

First Nations leaders meet in Winnipeg to discuss major infrastructure projects

First Nations leaders meet in Winnipeg to discuss major infrastructure projects
The assembly is expected to focus heavily on the federal government's major projects legislation, as it's the first time all chiefs have gathered since the bill passed in June.

First Nations leaders meet in Winnipeg to discuss major infrastructure projects