The Yukon flag waves outside the Yukon Legislature. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – Almost a dozen public hearings are coming up around the territory where anyone can discuss, react or voice concerns over the interim report released by the Yukon Electoral Boundaries Commission which proposes changes ranging from small tweaks to major shifts in 17 of Yukon’s 19 electoral districts.
The most significant change would see districts outside Whitehorse decrease from eight to six. The proposal increases the districts in Whitehorse from 11 to 13.
The Vuntut Gwitchin district would merge with the Klondike district. The Pelly-Nisutlin district will be split with Ross River and Faro joining the Watson Lake district and Teslin and Johnson’s Crossing joining the Mount Lorne Southern Lakes district.
The two new districts would be Whistle Bend North and Whistle Bend South.
These changes mean to match population growth and bring every district between 1,250 to 2,082 voters per district.
During the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) Annual General Meeting on May 12th, the membership passed a motion voicing apprehension that the proposed changes would limit rural representation.
“Reducing rural seats from 8 to 6 would negatively impact the ability of rural Yukon to have its voice and concerns reflected in the business of the Legislative Assembly,” stated Whitehorse Councillor Kirk Cameron in an AYC press release. “It would become easier for majority governments to be formed without any representation from rural Yukon – further marginalizing remote communities.”
Justice Suzanne Duncan, Chair of the Electoral Boundaries Commission, emphasized the necessity of the adjustments due to population growth since the last boundary adjustment was made in 2008.
Annie Blake, Yukon NDP MLA, represents Vuntut Gwitchin, one of the districts in question.
“It’s important that people in my community get a chance to look at the commission’s interim report,” said Blake in a written statement regarding the proposed district merger.
The public can participate in the upcoming public hearings scheduled throughout June.
- Watson Lake, Watson Lake Community Centre, June 4th, 12 pm – 3 pm
- Pelly Crossing, Eliza VanBibber School Library, June 5th, 12 pm – 3 pm
- Carmacks, Carmacks Recreation Centre, June 5th, 6 pm – 8 pm
- Teslin, Teslin Recreation Centre, June 6th, 12 pm – 3 pm
- Tagish, Tagish Community Centre, June 6th, 6 pm – 8 pm
- Whitehorse, Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre, June 10th, 7 pm – 9 pm
- Whitehorse, Ibex Valley Firehall, June 10th, 3 pm – 5 pm
- Whitehorse, Sternwheeler Hotel, June 13th, 7 pm – 9 pm
- Old Crow, Darius Elias Community Centre, June 17th, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Dawson City, Downtown Hotel, June 17th, 5 pm – 7 pm
Additionally, ideas can be shared in writing with submissions accepted until August 26th.
