Three of the territory’s federal election candidates took part in a French-language debate organized by the Association Franco-Yukonnaise (AFY) on Saturday.

Both Conservative candidate Ryan Leef and Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell answered questions in French.

NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson, however, spoke in English and had a translator repeat her answers in French.

Bagnell was also assisted by a translator to understand some of the questions.

Leef and Bagnell spoke in French for most of the debate, sometimes switching back to English for a couple of words when they were struggling.

Unlike the French debate held by Radio-Canada last week that saw some tense moments between the party leaders, the AFY’s debate was less emotional.

Candidates were asked for their stances on bilingualism, funding for CBC-Radio-Canada and the francophone community.

Other hot-button issues were brought up including hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, Bill S-6 and continuing care for senior Yukoners.

Brett Ballah, Radio-Canada’s managing editor for B.C. and Yukon, made the trip from Vancouver to moderate the AFY’s debate.

“It’s important for francophones to have an opportunity to ask questions in French,” said AFY president Angélique Bernard after the debate.

About 30 people attended Saturday’s event.

Bernard praised the efforts candidates made to answer the questions in French.

“(Though) I don’t know what people are going to take back in terms of commitments (made by the candidates),” she said.

When asked about the importance of francophones outside of Quebec – an issue completely overlooked during Radio-Canada’s national debate – candidates were quick to state their support but didn’t provide any concrete measures.

“I recognize that the francophone community here in the Yukon has a lot to offer. It’s an essential part of our community,” said Atkinson.

Leef talked about the role of the Yukon’s MP to speak in the House of Commons about bills that matter to the community.

Bagnell said he would talk to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau about francophones outside of Quebec.

The topic of CBC/Radio-Canada’s funding quickly came up.

Yann Herry, who co-ordinates francophone partnerships with the Yukon government and is involved in numerous initiatives like the Whitehorse-Lancieux Sister City Exchange Program, explained how important Radio-Canada was for his family, as a vector of development and education.

Leef maintained that the government has committed to other celebrations of the French language.

He later added that it was difficult for him to answer without the help of a translator.

Bagnell promised to double subsidies to the public broadcaster and to invest in the National Film Board.

Atkinson talked about the broadcaster’s “precarious position” and said the NDP was committed to cancelling the cuts and guaranteeing stable funding.

Both the NDP and Conservative candidates were asked why none of their campaign signs were bilingual.

“Your point is well taken, and I don’t have a reasonable excuse,” said Leef, adding that his office does have a lot of resources available in French.

Atkinson said it is her first time running, adding that she’d keep the suggestion in mind.

“I've heard your voice and I will do better to make you feel included because it's important,” she said.

Bagnell, whose signs are partly bilingual, suggested the use of First Nation languages for the next federal election.

Candidates were also asked about their positions on fracking and Bill S-6.

The bill, passed earlier this summer, amends part of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act.

Several Yukon First Nations will be fighting the legislation in court, arguing it threatens the independence of the assessment board and the quality of environmental assessments.

Bagnell stated his opposition to fracking and that a Liberal government would repeal the four controversial amendments that were made to the bill without Yukoners’ consent.

Atkinson also came out against fracking. Bill S-6, she said, was one of the reasons she decided to run as a candidate. The NDP has also pledged to rescind the four amendments.

The bill is about community and economic development, Leef insisted.

Atkinson read her closing statement in French, restating part of her party’s program.

“We want an MP who will be the Yukon’s voice in Ottawa, not Ottawa’s voice in the Yukon,” she said.

Leef noted he was proud of his last four years in Parliament, and the hardship of learning a new language.

“Melissa did a great job working through French,” he said, in English.

He reiterated that the federal government, under Harper’s leadership, has invested a lot in Yukon communities, including the francophone community.

“Words are less important than the relationship I have with the francophone community,” said Bagnell, mentioning his volunteer experience at the Sugar Shack during Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous.

He outlined his past experience with the federal government as Yukon’s former MP.

Green Party candidate Frank de Jong was absent from the debate. He had originally confirmed his attendance but couldn’t make it.

De Jong, who works as a teacher in Faro, told the Star today that he was in Dawson City at a rural camp with children over the weekend.

“I was driving a bus full of kids at the time,” he said.