NDP MLA Lois Moorcroft hit the campaign trail Monday afternoon with her announcement she’s seeking re-election in the pending territorial election for her Copperbelt South riding.

Moorcroft made the lunchtime announcement next to the DC-3 weather vane outside the Yukon Transportation Museum, stating she wants to continue her work under an NDP government.

She was surrounded by supporters and fellow opposition members, including Jan Stick, Kate White and NDP Leader Liz Hanson, among others. The three MLAs are also seeking re-election.

“We will represent your interests,” Moorcroft said as she reflected on her years and political work in the territory.

It was 40 years ago when she and her husband, Al Pope, arrived in the territory with just two suitcases. Today, their children and grandchildren remain in the Yukon.

It was in the 1980s that Moorcroft and other parents in her Annie Lake Road area lobbied for a new school that would serve students there.

The result was the building of Golden Horn Elementary School, near the Carcross Cutoff, which today runs an extremely successful experiential outdoor learning model.

In 1992, Moorcroft entered the Yukon political ring for the first time, winning the Mount Lorne riding, though then-premier Tony Penikett’s NDP government was defeated by the late John Ostashek’s Yukon Party.

Moorcroft was re-elected in 1996 and went on to serve, under Piers McDonald’s government, as the minister of Justice, Education and the Women’s Directorate.

During her tenure in Education, she was confronted by the disastrous loss of Old Crow’s school to fire – the second time that happened in fewer than 20 years.

Moorcroft lost her seat in the election of 2000 to Cynthia Tucker of the Liberals, who formed a government under Pat Duncan’s leadership.

In 2011, Moorcroft sought the Copperbelt South riding. She won the seat with 397 ballots in her favour, just three votes over the Yukon Party’s Valerie Boxall.

Asked about that narrow victory, Moorcroft said that over the last 4 1/2 years, she has gained the experience of being the area’s MLA. She has been part of numerous community events, and is hoping to “do well” in the election.

Moorcroft drew on her work over the last term as not only the MLA for Copperbelt South but also as the Highways and Public Works critic.

She pointed to her motion (supported unanimously in the legislature) to make campgrounds more accessible.

She also noted she took the Yukon Party government to task over the removal of the local preference policy in choosing contractors, and on the $200-million plan to upgrade the Alaska Highway in Whitehorse, which could mean twinning the road in some areas.

Moorcroft noted that many of her constituents live in areas along the highway. She’s heard loud and clear that while safe transportation is important, so too is ensuring any changes to the highway are done properly.

“Let’s get it right,” she urged.

As part of the legislature’s select committee looking at the issue for hydraulic fracturing, Moorcroft noted the importance of protecting the territory’s environment.

“The Yukon government must play a leadership role in preserving our environment, the lands and waters, the boreal forest and the species – including humanity itself – whose habitat is threatened,” she said. “We can never replace what we destroy.”

An NDP government would implement the land use plan for the Peel River watershed (which has been at the centre of a court battle) and honour land claims and treaties it has with First Nations, she said.

“The next Yukon government must live up to our land claim agreements and co-operate with First Nations governments to move forward on land use planning that creates economic certainty in our resource sectors,” she said.

“I am excited to renew my pledge to serve the community, and I hope I can count on my constituents’ support in the months ahead.”

No other prospective candidates have yet come forward for the Copperbelt South riding.