Here's who is running to be Yukon's next MP

It's official.

Canadians will be heading to the polls on April 28, after Prime Minister Mark Carney called an election in Ottawa Sunday morning. 

So far, six candidates are confirmed to be running for Yukon's only seat in the House of Commons. They will be representing the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, NDP, Green Party, People's Party of Canada and the Rhinoceros Party.

Here are the candidates confirmed so far.

Gabrielle Dupont, Green

Gabrielle Dupont will be Yukon's Green Party candidate in the federal election.

Dupont has lived in Yukon for 18 years. For twelve of those years, she has worked as an architectural draftsperson for mining companies, contractors, and governments. She currently lives in an off-grid cabin just outside of Whitehorse. 

This is her first time running for federal office.

Dupont said two areas of focus for her are improving and increasing renewable energy sources like wind and solar power in the Yukon and advocating for more affordable housing options.

"The first thing is to redefine what it means to have affordable housing," she said. "It seems like there's a disconnect there between what the government is funding right now under the premise that it's affordable homes and housing, and what we see on the ground."

André Fortin, People's Party of Canada

André Fortin is the People's Party of Canada candidate for the upcoming election.

Originally from Quebec, Fortin has lived in Whitehorse for over 40 years. He has experience in the public service, infrastructure development and energy sectors, including starting contracting firm Dynamic Systems and sitting on the Yukon Utilities Board.

Fortin said he wants to hear people's concerns and has four major issues at the top of his mind — ensuring gun regulations don't harm Yukoners, housing, proper funding for the RCMP and healthcare.

On the last topic, Fortin said he's heard from Yukoners who don't have doctors, and from nurses who have "exited the profession and will never be back" because of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. 

"In Ottawa, I will fight tooth and nail for not having these kinds of mandates," he said, adding that he isn't "anti-vax" but considers vaccine requirements by employers "morally so reprehensible."

Fortin also said he would like to increase funding for the RCMP in Yukon.

Brendan Hanley, Liberal

Brendan Hanley has been confirmed as the Liberal candidate for Yukon in the next federal election, seeking a second term as the territory's only MP.

Hanley first won his seat in the 2021 general election. A physician by trade, Hanley was relatively new to politics at the time but had developed a public profile as the territory's chief public health officer through the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hanley said if re-elected he wants to keep focusing on issues such as housing, health care and climate change.
"And now, of course, a whole new problem with the U.S. administration, effectively a hostile administration, that is threatening all kinds of economic upheaval to our country, let alone our very sovereignty as a nation," he said.

"This is a new issue for us that is going to require effective, strong advocacy and leadership. And I feel I can be that person."

Jean-Michel Harvey, Rhinoceros Party

The Rhinoceros Party of Canada has confirmed that Jean-Michel Harvey will be running as their candidate in Yukon.

The Rhinoceros Party is known for its satirical take on Canadian politics.

On its website the party describes itself as offering an alternative for disillusioned voters. 

"Founded in 1963, the Rhinoceros Party offers an almost credible alternative to voters disillusioned by traditional parties. Promising funnier lies of superior quality, our candidates are softer and more silky than any competitors' brand. Voting for real politicians does not get you anywhere? Change your strategy: vote for a fake one."

CBC has requested an interview with Harvey, but has not yet heard back.

Ryan Leef, Conservative

Ryan Leef, who served a term as Yukon MP a decade ago, has been selected as the territory's Conservative candidate in the upcoming federal election.

Leef was first elected to Parliament in 2011, unseating the longtime Liberal MP Larry Bagnell by a narrow margin. He ran again in 2015, this time losing to Bagnell and the Liberals in a landslide. 

Leef then sat out the next two federal elections. Most recently, he's working as the bylaw manager for the City of Whitehorse.

CBC News has tried to contact Leef by phone, email and through social media but has not had a response. 

In a social media video in March, Leef said he was seeking his party's nomination to "bring a common sense message back to Ottawa."

"I hope that my 40 years here in the territory, my experience working, living and playing here in the Yukon, and living in many of our communities ... demonstrates that I have the experience to carry your voice."

Katherine McCallum, NDP

The NDP announced Katherine McCallum as the party's Yukon candidate.

McCallum is new to politics, having worked in the Yukon's theatre and arts community for the past two decades. She previously served on the board of the Yukon Arts Centre and now teaches theatre at Yukon University. 

"I've been sitting on the sidelines politically for a long time and very involved in my own personal beliefs in the political system," McCallum said. "And with everything that's going on in the world and in North America right now, I just felt like it was time to step up."

McCallum says that if she were elected, addressing affordable housing and mental health would be some of her priorities.

The last time Yukon elected an NDP member of Parliament was in the 1990s. In the last federal election, the party's candidate Lisa Vollans-Leduc finished third in Yukon with 22.4 per cent of the vote.