Season 5 Episode 13

Rock the Talk

SEASON 5 / EPISODE 13

EPISODE RECAP:

April 9, 2021

Rock the Vote, Yukon! (Pt 2)

Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston hosts the second and final 2021 Yukon Election Special with a powerhouse guest list that includes all three party leaders (Liberal Leader Sandy Silver, Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon and NDP Leader Kate White), and candidates from key ridings across the territory, including Liberal candidate Amanda Brown (Watson Lake), Yukon Party candidate Geraldine Van Bibber (Porter Creek North), and Patty Wallingham, the NDP candidate for the riding of Mayo-Tatchun. Plus, Yukon First Nations election coordinator Mathieya Alatini joins Grand Chief for an election update and the latest instalment of the COVID Report. This historic election could come down to the wire, and with so much at stake on Monday, Yukoners need to 'Rock the Vote' like never before!

RTT APRIL 9, 2021

Part I: Currie Dixon: We'll Get To Work Right Away

Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with Currie Dixon, Leader of the Yukon Party to talk about his campaign, the economy and the future of the territory. Dixon explains his party's position on the pandemic, the economic recovery, small business and energy solutions, the environment, housing and more. He also tells the Grand Chief about what he learned as the Minister responsible for the Peel Watershed controversy that resulted in a Supreme Court of Canada ruling in favour of Yukon First Nations in 2017. Focused on the future, Dixon stresses that this election is not about the last four years, it's about the next four years, and his plan to ensure Yukoners capitalize on the opportunities ahead.

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Photo Credit: Yukon Party / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM

RTT APRIL 9, 2021

Part II: Amanda Brown: The Race for Watson Lake

Grand Chief Peter Johnston discusses the 2021 election climate with Amanda Brown, the Liberal candidate hoping to make history in the riding of Watson Lake. The Liberal Party has never held this seat before, but with no NDP candidate on the ballot (Amy Labonte dropped out on March 23), the dynamics have changed. Brown, a former Liard First Nation Councillor, is taking on the incumbent Patti McLeod of the Yukon Party, and if successful, would be the first Kaska woman ever elected to the Legislative Assembly – a huge boost for Kaska representation at a pivotal time for the territory.

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Photo Credit: Yukon Liberal Party / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM

RTT APRIL 9, 2021

Part III: Kate White: Yukon, Are You Better Off Today?

Grand Chief Peter Johnston is joined in studio by Kate White, Leader of the New Democratic Party and the incumbent for Takhini-Kopper King in Whitehorse. White's inspirational rise to leadership has brought new hope to a party that held just two seats following the 2016 election. The NDP's ambitious platform presents a vision for housing, health care, justice, food security, the environment, addressing poverty, making life more affordable and much more, which has raised concerns about the price tag. White takes this criticism head on, and says the NDP is ready to govern and that it's time to adjust our priorities. "This is an opportunity to elect a kinder, more inclusive government," she says. "Be brave, join me!"

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Photo Credit: Yukon NDP / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM

RTT APRIL 9, 2021

Part IV: Sandy Silver: Let's Keep the Momentum Going

Grand Chief Peter Johnston welcomes Liberal Party Leader Sandy Silver to talk about platforms, priorities and the progress his party has made since 2016. Silver has earned a plethora of praise for his handling of the COVID-19 response and for meeting his commitment to restore a positive working relationship with Yukon First Nations. Today, with Canada still struggling to get COVID under control, Silver believes keeping an experienced Liberal team at the helm will be critical for the journey ahead, especially with the Yukon First Nations procurement policy at stake and the economic recovery on the horizon. The Liberal plan would make new investments in housing, energy, health, education, small business, community infrastructure and the environment – and it's all on the line this Monday.

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Photo Credit: Yukon Liberal Party / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM

RTT APRIL 9, 2021

Part V: Geraldine Van Bibber: Education is key

Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with Geraldine Van Bibber, a former Commissioner of the Yukon and the Yukon Party's candidate for Porter Creek North, to talk about the issues that matter to her and those who live in her riding. Porter Creek North has been held by the Yukon Party since 2002, with significant margins of victory over the Liberals, NDP and Greens – winning with 47% of the vote in 2006, 49% in 2011 and 44% in 2016.

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Photo Credit: Yukon News / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM

RTT MARCH 26, 2021

Part VI: Patty Wallingham: Competing for Mayo-Tatchun

Grand Chief Peter Johnston connects with Patty Wallingham, the NDP candidate hoping for her breakthrough moment in the riding of Mayo-Tatchun. This riding got plenty of attention in March when Liberal MLA Don Hutton announced he would not be running for re-election, setting the stage for a showdown between the new Liberal candidate Jeremy Harper, Yukon Party candidate Peter Grundmanis and Wallingham, a rising star. The NDP last won in Mayo-Tatchun in 2011, when Jim Tredger captured 42% of the vote. Before that, in 2002, the NDP’s Eric Fairclough won with 49% of the vote.

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Photo Credit: Yukon NDP / Audio Courtesy: 98.1 CHON-FM

RTT APRIL 9, 2021

Part VII: This is it. Let's Rock the Vote, Yukon!

Grand Chief Peter Johnston is back on the line with Council of Yukon First Nations 2021 Election Coordinator Mathieya Alatini for another important update on the election along with the latest COVID Report. Alatini emphasizes how important this election is to the future of the territory, as vaccines roll out and our push to reach herd immunity continues, choosing the right candidate will make all the difference to your community's future. The bottom line, "Get out and VOTE, Yukon!"

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