For the NDP’s Lisa Vollans-Leduc, running for federal office is the culmination of a lifetime of activism.

Vollans-Leduc has taken a leave from her government position to try to take the Yukon seat.

She told the Star she’s in the campaign to win, not just make a statement.

“I’m currently on leave without pay from my Yukon government position. If I lose, I will return and I will continue to advocate for social justice and speaking up for what is right,” Vollans-Leduc said.

“For 25 years, I’ve been an activist for human and labour rights. Being an advocate for people and speaking against injustices is deeply ingrained in my political philosophy and personal ethics.

“I’ve run for leadership positions in my union,” she added. “I’m not afraid to take a stand and be in the spotlight fighting for people.”

Vollans-Leduc said she thought the timing was perfect to make her political debut. With incumbent Larry Bagnell retiring, she’s up against a field that includes neophyte candidates, leaving the race wide open.

“This is a critical time,” she said. “We’re seeing the piling up of crises: climate, housing – and of course, Indigenous communities have been impacted, trauma of residential schools and genocidal colonialist policy.

“The Liberals and Conservatives have run things for too long. It’s time for a change.”

That’s a strong comment, but Vollans-Leduc is like that. She speaks plainly and eloquently, and with passion. 

She said she chose the NDP because it’s a “natural fit.” She has some firmly-held convictions that dovetail nicely with party policies.

“The ideas I present are not just my own – they are strong positions informed by debate on what’s wrong in this country and how to change it – on addressing cost of living issues, climate change, and reconciliation with First Nations,” Vollans-Leduc said.

“My values align with the New Democrats’ platform, which incorporates ideas of optimism and hope and taking care of each other.

“I have incorporated a person-centred approach in my everyday working life for more than 18 years.”

Vollans-Leduc is happy to talk up the party’s policies and plans, but makes it clear she has a streak that might leave her to challenge those partisan points if she sees fit. Vollans-Leduc, it seems, could have a bit of a maverick streak to her. 

“The NDP plan is not radical – it is common sense,” Vollans-Leduc continued.

“As MP, my commitment will be to listen and be a strong advocate for people on the issues and to fight for what is right for the Yukon.

“For too long, Yukon’s MP has delivered Ottawa’s message to Yukoners. I think it’s time for a different kind of MP – a strong advocate for the Yukon people who delivers our message to Ottawa.”

The NDP platform is full of commitments to address the climate change and housing crises, the rising cost of living, and to engage in meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous people, she points out.

“As we recover from the pandemic, we need major reinvestments in people, and we are going to pay for it by making the ultra rich pay their fair share,” Vollans-Leduc said.

“By investing in people and providing things like free dental and free pharmacare for all, we will see cost savings. 

“It certainly is not fair that during the pandemic – as hard-working Canadians struggled to keep each other safe and cared for – billionaires and corporations pocketed additional billions in profits.”

She’s not concerned that her political inexperience will be her undoing.

“The best politics combines new ideas and fresh faces rooted in an analysis of the past,” Vollan-Leduc said. “This is my first federal campaign, but I’m not a neophyte to politics.

“I’ve run for and have been elected to a number of union positions spanning 15 years. I understand government structure and process through my work and education in political science.

“The NDP has deep roots in our country and the Yukon – the NDP had a foundational role in the Umbrella Final Agreeement and land claims,” she noted.

Territorial NDP governments also created human rights legislation, the Energy Solutions Centre, the Yukon Arts Centre and Yukon University’s Ayamdigut campus, Vollans-Leduc recalled.

“We are not new to the territory. Of course, the NDP nationally was a coalition of farmers, workers, and church – people interested in social justice that goes back 100 years.

“Let’s not forget that Tommy Douglas, a New Democrat, was voted the Greatest Canadian.”