Yukon NDP leader's truck vandalized, painted with threatening messages

The leader of the Yukon NDP says her truck was vandalized over the weekend while it was parked outside her home.

Kate White says she woke Saturday morning to find three of her tires were slashed, and someone had also spray-painted threats on the hood and driver's side door.

"I think it's supposed to say 'resign or die,' but there's a spelling mistake, so it says 'resing or die,'" White told CBC News on Monday.

"At first I was rattled, and then I was really angry ... and now I can tell you I'm really determined."

White says the incident has been reported to RCMP. 

Police on Monday afternoon issued a news release saying they were investigating vandalism to a vehicle in the Takhini neighbourhood that happened sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

They're asking anybody with information, including security or dash-cam footage from between 11:30 p.m. on Friday to 1 a.m. on Saturday to contact them.

'It's cowardly'

This wasn't the first time White has been targeted. She said two of her tires were also slashed just before Christmas, but she wasn't sure then whether that incident was politically motivated. This time, she's more confident. 

"It's pretty clear it's about my job. It's about someone thinking that they can intimidate me into acting the way they want me to, and they're wrong," she said.

"To use such a physical and aggressive form of intimidation, it's cowardly. If they want to have a conversation, I'm here and open to that. But that behaviour is entirely unacceptable."

In 2021, White was confronted outside the legislative building in Whitehorse by people who were protesting the Yukon government's COVID-19 policies. White's vehicle was reportedly spat on as she tried to leave.

Other Yukon politicians have also been targets of intimidation in recent years.

Last May, Yukon's political leaders condemned vandalism at government minister John Streicker's home south of Whitehorse.

Vandals had spray-painted the garage and parts of Streicker's home. The graffiti referenced masks, "vax" and CEMA, which would allude to the government's Civil Emergency Measures Act.

In a written statement on Monday, Official Opposition Leader Currie Dixon said he was "saddened" by what happened to White over the weekend, and called the actions "unacceptable and despicable."

"Bullying, harassment, threats or vandalism have no place in our society or political discourse," Dixon said.

"I hope the perpetrator or perpetrators of this disgusting and indefensible behaviour are caught and brought to justice."

Premier Ranj Pillai also issued a written statement on Monday, condemning what happened and urging Yukoners "to work together to ensure our community remains safe, respectful and inclusive for everyone, no matter their political views."

"While Yukoners may, from time to time, disagree — even strongly — with their friends, neighbours or elected officials, violence, vandalism and threats are never the answer," he said.