Leadership race, Liberal gov't agreement with NDP drove fall sitting of Yukon Legislative Assembly

An over-budget and delayed hydro expansion project in Atlin, B.C., a bill that seeks to improve animal welfare and a failed bid to host the Canada Winter Games — these are perhaps the top topics during the fall sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, which wrapped up Nov. 24.

But two issues seemed to loom even larger.

Those are the imminent departure of Premier Sandy Silver — who announced in September he's pulling the ripcord on his political career after the next general election, slated for 2025 — and the fate of the confidence and supply agreement (CASA), which solidifies NDP support for Liberal aspirations, and vice versa. 

In many ways, both riff off the other. 

Let's start with Silver.

This sitting was Silver's last as premier, a position he's held since 2016, somewhat of a watershed year for the party, with Silver landing it a majority — a far cry from when he sat as the sole Liberal MLA for the Klondike, a seat he'll keep until he steps down.

He had a lot of things to say to reporters about hard-working ministers, who he said take their lunches at their desk, along with bills his government passed, including the Animal Protection and Control Act, which replaces three laws the government says are outdated and result in low animal welfare standards.

Things moved fast following Silver's sunset media scrum.

Less than 24 hours later, Minister Ranj Pillai announced to a cramped room of supporters in downtown Whitehorse he's going to take a chance at the premiership. 

That evening, party faithful gathered at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre for what appeared to be an exclusive event, catering to the well-heeled. Those in attendance heard that Jan. 28 is when party members will vote to name the next Liberal leader and, by default, the next premier of the territory.

Asked whether other ministers will run or if the party will throw its weight behind him, Pillai suggested it's possible Yukoners could see some of his colleagues enter the race.

That hasn't materialized yet. As of Monday morning, no one else had put their name forward. 

The Yukon Party has cried foul on the leadership contest, urging the premier, via a successful motion, to consult the conflict of interest commissioner.

Both the official opposition and NDP demand that cabinet ministers be required to resign from their posts before running for leadership. They flag the need to ensure ministers would not use their positions nor government resources to campaign.