Canada election 2015: Who's running in the Yukon riding? - Action News
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Canada election 2015: Who's running in the Yukon riding?

A look at the candidates running in Yukon in the federal election this fall.

A look at the candidates running in Yukon in the federal election

Melissa Atkinson
NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

Melissa Atkinson is the NDP candidate in Yukon.

Atkinson is a lawyer and former chair of the Yukon Human Rights Commission. She's also a member of the Tr'ondk Hwch'in First Nation.

Atkinson said she chose to run because she wants change. She saidYukoners want an MP who will represent their voice in Ottawa.

She has citeda number of key issues and priorities,including the repeal ofBill C-51, and a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women. Atkinson has also said she'llstandup for YukonFirst Nations rights, supporting their stand against Bill S-6.

Larry Bagnell
Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

Larry Bagnellis running for the Liberal Party in Yukon.

Bagnell was the territory's Liberal MP from 2000 until2011, winning three elections before losing to Ryan Leef in 2011 by 132 votes. As MP, Bagnell served as Parliamentary Secretaryto both the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and the Minister of Natural Resources.

Bagnellhas saida Liberal government would restore funding to Parks Canada, adepartment which has lost 30 jobs in Yukon since 2010. He hasalso spoken about restoring the relationship between government and First Nations, in part byenacting all recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Frank De Jong
Green candidate Frank De Jong. (de Jong campaign)

Frank De Jongis the Green Party candidate for Yukon.

De Jongwas the first leader of Ontario's provincial Green Party, a position he held from 1993 to 2009. He now lives in Faro, where he is an elementary school teacher.

De Jong has said the economy is the big issue in this election, and touts the Green Party's plan to shift taxes "off of jobs, off of sales, off of businesses, and shift those taxes onto nature."

He believes Yukon is a very "Green-leaning" riding, and hopes to build on his party's showing in the last election, when Yukon Green candidate John Streicker came third, with 19 per cent of the vote.

Ryan Leef
Conservative candidate Ryan Leef. (Philippe Morin/CBC)

Ryan Leef is seeking re-election as Yukon's Conservative MP. He ran his first campaign in 2011, when he unseated Liberal MP Larry Bagnell by 132 votes, or one percentage point.

Leefgrew up in Dawson City and has often referred to his "diversified career in law enforcement," which included work as a police officer.

Leef has said the economy and terrorism are key issues in this election. His party has promised to establish a military reserve unit in Yukon if re-elected, as well as a new training facility for cadets in Whitehorse, andmore money for CanNor.