Yukon Party Texting Campaign Indicates Yukoners are Ready for Change

WHITEHORSE - The results from Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon's texting campaign to Yukoners show the territory is ready for change. Dixon exchanged texts with over 7000 Yukoners during the outreach, with over 2100 Yukoners sharing their thoughts via the survey. That feedback has helped shape the party's platform for the upcoming election.

Some key results show that Yukoners are frustrated with behind-closed-doors decision-making that defined this territorial Liberal government and their NDP partners. Survey respondents overwhelmingly agreed that there is a serious lack of transparency and a failure to listen to ordinary Yukoners.

In addition to concerns around transparency and listening to Yukoners, key topics that Yukoners largely agreed need to be addressed include:

• Housing is much less affordable than it was only a few years ago;
• The government needs to do more to deal with repeat criminal offenders;
• Yukon Energy's application for a 34 per cent rate increase over three years needs to be addressed; and,
• The Yukon's territorial debt, projected to hit $774 million by 2026, is a serious concern. 

"I'd like to thank all the Yukoners who took the time to engage with me over text and share their responses to some of the big issues being discussed as we head towards an election," Dixon said. "With the majority of our team now in place, we are finalizing our platform and policies that reflect Yukoners' desire for change. This valuable feedback will help us provide a responsible, effective government that listens."

Questions were selected based on topics that had been heavily debated during the spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. As a result, Yukoners rightfully noted that some topics were not included in the questions, notably around education and the environment. Those Yukoners shared ideas in written responses, and these suggestions were also reviewed.

See backgrounder for more detailed results.

-30-

Media contact:

Tim Kucharuk
Media Director

(867) 689-7874

 

Backgrounder

Mobile survey: 2135 responses

Question: Many Yukoners say rising costs are hitting them hard. How has the cost of living affected you this past year? 2121 of 2135 answered this question.

A lot: 54.2%

Somewhat: 38.1%

Not Much: 6.4%

Not at all: 1.4%

 

Question: In order to fund necessary upgrades to our electrical grid, the Yukon Energy Corporation has recently submitted an application to increase electricity rates by 30% over the next 3 years. How important is it for Yukon government to reduce that electricity cost increase for Yukoners? 2094 of 2135 answered this question.

Very important: 79%

Somewhat important: 13.9%

Not that important: 3.6%

Not sure: 2.1%

Not important at all: 1.5%

 

Question: The Yukon government needs to invest more in many parts of health care. What should government prioritize for investment? 2067 of 2135 answered this question.

Front line staff: 52.6%

New hospital infrastructure: 13.4%

Other: 11.4%

Mental health supports: 9.4%

The new Health Authority: 5.7%

Home care: 3.9%

New continuing care beds: 3.6%

 

Question: Crime involving repeat offenders is a growing concern in many communities. Should the territorial government be doing more to keep repeat offenders off the street? 2089 of 2135 answered this question.

Yes – enough is enough: 82.6%

I don’t know enough: 12%

No – it is the responsibility of the federal government: 5.4%

 

Question: Do you think housing in Yukon is more or less affordable than it was a few years ago? 2117 of 2135 answered this question.

Much less affordable: 74.5%

Slightly less affordable: 15.6%

About the same: 8.8%

More affordable: 1%

 

Question: Territorial GDP just dropped 3.3%, the worst in the country. How do you feel about Yukon’s economic direction? 2126 out of 2135 answered this question.

We’re heading in the wrong direction: 52.6%

It’s a mixed picture: 35.5%

Not sure: 9.4%

Things are on the right track: 2.5%

 

Question: Territorial debt is projected to reach $774 million by 2026. What’s your reaction? 2105 of 2135 answered this question.

That’s a serious concern: 68.2%

I wasn’t aware: 12.7%

It’s manageable for now: 9.9%

Not sure: 5.1%

It’s not a big deal: 4%

 

Question: Do you feel the current government listens to people like you? 2093 of 2135 answered this question.

No – regular Yukoners are ignored: 62.4%

Sometimes: 29.9%

Yes – I feel heard: 4.3%

Not sure: 3.5%

 

Question: Do you believe the territorial government is being transparent with the public? 2116 of 2135 answered this question.

No – too much happens behind closed doors: 66.6%

Sometimes: 24.1%

Yes: 5.1%

Not sure: 4.2%

 

Question: How do you feel about the Yukon’s future overall? 2114 of 2135 answered this question.

Worried about where things are going: 39.6%

Cautiously optimistic: 33.2%

Yukon is heading in the wrong direction: 20.8%

Very optimistic: 6.4%