Electoral map reform adopted in Yukon

It is now official, in the next legislative elections, the Yukon will have two new constituencies, which will bring the total number of deputies to 21. The bill, which follows the recommendations of the independent commission, was voted on Tuesday.

The commission had recommended the addition of two ridings in the Whistle Bend neighborhood of Whitehorse, the dissolution of the riding of Pelly-Nisutlin to consolidate Watson Lake with Ross River and Faro and the division of the riding of Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes.

While tabling the bill, Prime Minister Ranj Pillai said the changes were aimed at ensure electoral districts are fair and effectively represent Yukon’s growing population.

Almost all MPs from all three parties voted in favor of the proposed changes with the exception of Pelly-Nisutlin MP Stacey Hassard and Watson Lake MP Patti McLeod.

The latter considers that the changes that will be made to her constituency, including the communities of Ross River and Faro, will decrease representation for these communities.

For her part, Stacey Hassard emphasizes that several of her voters and Yukoners from everywhere else shared their displeasure faced with these changes. He fears that the divide between the capital and rural communities will be even greater in the Legislative Assembly with 13 constituencies for Whitehorse compared to 8 for the rest of the territory.

Continuing on this path will be disastrous. At some point, Yukon could find itself in a situation where one political party can win a majority of seats in government without having any seats in rural communitieshe said.

In a letter to the Prime Minister last week, Faro Mayor Jack Bower also shared his reservations about the changes for his community, saying Faro, Ross River and Watson Lake were being given back bad service.

He argues that the Campbell Road, which connects the three communities, is a road difficile to borrow, no matter the time of year.

I have personally driven this road several times and it is possible to not encounter another vehicle for over 400 kilometers. This could very well be a reason why a candidate decides not to run for a seat herehe explains.

However, the leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party, Kate White, supports this bill. She explains that, depending on the newly decreed fixed date elections for the territory, a new commission for another reform of the electoral map could be convened after the November 2029 elections.

It’s not forever, these are effective changes for two elections. If it doesn’t work, then the new commission can look into itshe assures.