In the run-up to the 2025 Yukon election, it’s unusual to see all three main parties facing scrutiny over their past performances, even though only the Liberals have held power since the previous election. The NDP has been particularly vocal in criticizing the Yukon Party, despite the fact that the party has not been in government since 2016. Notably, the Yukon Party’s lineup for this election includes four former cabinet members, including Leader Currie Dixon.
NDP Leader Kate White has consistently highlighted the actions of the “conservative Yukon Party,” although that is not the party’s official name. The New Democrats have aggressively targeted the Yukon Party’s fundraising practices and connections to the federal Conservative Party. White has repeatedly portrayed the former Yukon Party ministers as authoritarian figures who clashed with various groups, from healthcare workers to First Nations.
Former NDP leader Liz Hanson pointed to the Yukon Party’s controversial handling of the Peel watershed issue, which resulted in a legal battle that reached the Supreme Court of Canada. According to Hanson, scrutinizing the Yukon Party’s track record is justified as it serves to remind voters of the party’s conservative policies.
Conversely, the Yukon Party has been critical of what it calls the “Liberal-NDP” government’s performance, despite the NDP never being part of the actual government. While the NDP supported the minority Liberals through confidence and supply agreements, they did not hold any cabinet positions and frequently clashed with the Liberals on policy matters.
Former Progressive Conservative MLA and Conservative senator Dan Lang believes that both the Liberals and the NDP should take responsibility for issues such as healthcare crises and rising crime rates. He criticized the current government and the NDP for what he perceives as a lenient approach towards crime.
The Liberals, who have been in power for nearly a decade, have managed to avoid much of the criticism during this campaign, despite facing some backlash for their governance and candidate shortages. Former Liberal leader Arthur Mitchell defended his party’s investments in the healthcare system, emphasizing the significant funding injections made by the Liberals.
Mitchell expressed confidence in his party’s performance in the upcoming election, dismissing concerns about their electoral prospects. He reiterated the common adage that the true test is on election day, emphasizing the unpredictability of political outcomes despite pre-election speculations.