The territory’s MP-hopefuls had their first candidate debate Wednesday, hosted by the Yukon College Student Union – and it wasn’t long before the verbal bashing began.

As a result of the territory-wide Internet outage, Green Party candidate Frank de Jong was unable to be included in the debate via live-streaming from Dawson City.

The forum consisted of three questions covering the topics of an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, student debt and Bill S-6.

Yukon Conservative candidate Ryan Leef was quick to remind the crowd at “The Pit” that in the House of Commons’ vote earlier this year, he was the only Conservative MP to vote in favour of calling the national inquiry.

It was a statement that was not met with silence from NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson.

“If you’re the lone Conservative that votes for it, does that vote really matter?” she asked.

“When you’re in with your caucus ... and you can’t convince any other part of your caucus to join you in that vote...” she began, as Leef began simultaneously defending himself in his microphone.

After accusing Leef of “twittering over her shoulder,” Atkinson added that when Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the inquiry wasn’t a “priority,” it shows people where exactly the party lies.

“You can be darn sure if I didn’t (vote for the inquiry), that you’d be criticizing me for that,” Leef retorted.

“No matter what the party stands for, I will be Yukon’s voice in Ottawa.... So don’t minimize that and take it away.”

Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell stayed quiet throughout the “twittering” back and forth.

He did make his side clear by stating he would put the issue forward as a private member’s bill if a Liberal government is not voted in on Oct. 19.

“When the inquiry is called, I think we need the supporters and leaders to help design it so it doesn’t get off the tracks,” he added.

In the subject of educational costs and student debt, all three candidates agreed that their parties would do their best to lower costs and remove financial barriers to students.

The pleasantry among candidates and their fond feelings toward education were fleeting.

Bagnell stated a Liberal government would reopen the Kelowna Accord. Created under former prime minister Paul Martin, the initiative sought to improve education, employment and living conditions for aboriginal populations through federal government funding.

Harper did not support the Kelowna Accord – a result of 18 months of discussions.

After Atkinson called the agreement “another empty promise,” Bagnell shot back.

“You joined with Ryan and brought our government down,” he said, which prompted laughter and some applause from the crowd.

Staying quiet, Leef commented on the “chill” in the air and put on a Yukon College toque.

Bagnell then brought Leef back into the hot seat by inquiring about the current lack of federal funding for the Kluane Research Station.

Leef replied by stating that more than $1 million of Canadian Northern Economic Funding was given to the station to expand and diversify its operations – in 2011/2012.

“Every time you talk about funding cuts, you check the record and you actually see funding increases,” Leef said.

Clearly not satisfied by Leef’s response, Bagnell asked Leef whether $0 of funding was an increase.

The government has made scientific investment in the Kluane station and the Cold Climate Innovation Centre, Leef said, this time being cut off by Atkinson.

“Scientific innovation? Scientists who are being muzzled by the Harper government!” she retorted.

The interaction was cut off by the debate timer. That prompted debate moderator Matt Landry to initiate the final topic – Bill S-6, the legislation passed in June that has resulted in Yukon First Nations intending to take legal action.

The bill amending the territory’s environmental assessment legislation passed with four amendments which were strongly objected to by several First Nations.

They maintain they were never consulted on the amendments, and that the changes breach their land claim settlements.

Leef voted in favour of the bill – amendments included – back in June.

“One area of disagreement does not a bad relationship make,” Leef said in the debate of the federal government’s intent to have positive relations with First Nations governments.

Atkinson, a First Nations lawyer, said the legislation simply raises “uncertainty” in the economy, and with the government’s way of fostering a good relationship.

“With those four unilateral changes, it’s about further uncertainty. And shame on us,” she said.

Bagnell reiterated his party’s position on the amendments, and vowed to rescind the changes if elected – leaving the ensuing argument between Atkinson and Leef.

Leef stated that the government didn’t change the wording on the amendments because the belief was that the legislation does not undermine the land claim agreements.

“We’re forced to get them to court to get certainty,” Atkinson shot back, her voice getting louder.

“It’s not working. You don’t get it.”

The students’ union debate ended with rampant verbal snubs and flared tempers.

There are several more all-candidates’ debates planned for the upcoming weeks – covering a variety of topics such as the environment, women’s rights and issues affecting youth and First Nations.

The federal party leaders, meanwhile, will have their televised French-language debate beginning at 5:00 this afternoon (Yukon time).

See de Jong commentary.