Photo by Whitehorse Star
Jonas Smith and Linda Benoit
Former federal candidate backs Benoit for Yukon Party leadership
Linda Benoit, a candidate for the leadership of the Yukon Party, received a high-profile endorsement today.
Linda Benoit, a candidate for the leadership of the Yukon Party, received a high-profile endorsement today.
Jonas Smith, the Yukon’s Conservative Party of Canada candidate in the 2019 federal election, is throwing his support behind Benoit.
“I’ve worked closely with Linda for the past decade, and it has always amazed me how she manages to run her own business on top of working a number of day jobs, while also maintaining multiple volunteer positions with various community organizations,” Smith said in a statement.
“Through her 16 years serving in senior positions with the Yukon Party executive, she has an encyclopedic knowledge of the party and has always put the membership's needs before her own.”
Benoit served as Smith’s campaign manager in the 2019 federal election. The two also worked closely on the 2011 territorial election, helping shepherd the Yukon Party to victory.
Benoit also held positions in the cabinet offices of both Yukon Party premiers Darrell Pasloski and the late Dennis Fentie.
“In addition to her experience in government serving under two different Yukon Party administrations, I believe she brings a unique and much-needed perspective to the leadership race because of her career in the private sector,” Smith added.
“Her experience in small business, particularly in finance and IT, on top of her upbringing in rural Yukon, would bring a welcome lens to elected government that is currently absent.”
Benoit is currently the chief administrative officer and health, safety and environmental manager for Whitehorse-based Teichroeb Construction and Management Company.
She has been an owner-operator of her own IT-Administrative company since 2008.
“I look forward to the coming months and helping Yukoners get to know Linda in this leadership capacity,” said Smith.
“First and foremost, she is a team player and believes in the health of the Yukon Party and that in order to win the next territorial election, the leadership process must demonstrate the party’s vision of inclusiveness, and provide a place for all Yukoners to align their values.”
Brad Cathers, a Yukon Party MLA from 2002 to 2009, and from 2011 to the present, is also seeking the leadership, as is Currie Dixon, a Yukon Party cabinet minister from 2011 to 2016.
All members of the Yukon Party will be eligible to vote in the May 23 leadership contest provided their membership has been purchased or renewed by April 9.
Individuals must be Yukon residents, must be 14 years of age or older, and not hold a membership in another territorial party.
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Comments (21)
Up 15 Down 4
PSG on Feb 11, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Oh, June is not endorsing you. This means you have a relatively good chance.
Up 10 Down 12
Henry Wensleydale on Feb 11, 2020 at 12:52 pm
LMAO !
SO - the 2 biggest sore losers in recent Yukon politics ("Rusty Pasloski" and Wilf (not the singer) Carter are endorsing Benoit !
Up 8 Down 5
Quinn on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:50 pm
Which of the three is the most intelligent?
Up 15 Down 11
Wilf Carter on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:38 pm
When I read this and see some of the comments it is no wonder no one wants to run for leadership other than people who are poor leaders like Trudeau and his liberal MP's. Our MP stated in writing there was $350 promised for housing in Yukon and now we have the city taking tax payers money to build houses in Whitehorse. We had 240 wanting lots to build and only 55 available. Is it so hard to see we need land development in Whitehorse?
Linda Benoit has a great deal of experience in politics more than most politicians and understands Yukon political landscape much better than the NDP or liberal could ever dream of. She has great qualifications and understands business because she has worked in it for years, politics, communities in Yukon all her life, a common sense approach to leading people.
I always enjoyed some of the comments people make but there are some so disrespecting comments here they need to go back to their den and sleep some more.
Up 9 Down 7
You know what's sad on Feb 10, 2020 at 5:44 pm
When your party puts in a few strong ones and some lame ducks come along to steal some thunder. Show some support for stronger candidates versus splitting votes.
Up 18 Down 16
Allan Stanley on Feb 9, 2020 at 1:12 pm
Bob Ablanalp on Feb 8, 2020 at 6:39 pm
Sore Loser Smith ? Indeed !
His Bagnell bashing essays have gone from sanctimonious to pathetic.
They'd get at best a D- in a political science 101 course.
Up 24 Down 21
Why bother on Feb 8, 2020 at 8:20 pm
Everyone knows that Currie will win anyway. He ran away when the going got tough during the previous election, but he has now come back to be anointed as the boy king. His slogan should be "When the going gets tough, I get going! Sad that people can't see through this selfish play. At least Cathers always stuck around in the trenches.
Up 14 Down 17
Juniper Jackson on Feb 8, 2020 at 8:03 pm
No support from me for this candidate. I sure hope a few more throw their hat in the ring.
Up 26 Down 20
Bob Ablanalp on Feb 8, 2020 at 6:39 pm
"Oya on Feb 8, 2020 at 9:42 am
Endorsed by a loser. Why would you want to align yourself with that?"
YEP - Benoit should get rid of Smith as soon as possible.
Smith has launched yet another inaccurate and pointless attack against Bagnell in Friday's local newspapers.
He seems to have forgotten that the Federal Election is over and that 68% of
Yukoners voted for SOMEONE ELSE.
Up 35 Down 22
Oya on Feb 8, 2020 at 9:42 am
Endorsed by a loser. Why would you want to align yourself with that?
Up 20 Down 10
Dean LaRue on Feb 7, 2020 at 5:46 pm
Henry Wensleydale on Feb 6, 2020 at 8:06 pm
LOL - post of the week
And we're all wondering who Wilf Carter will be endorsing (GRIN)
Up 27 Down 17
Mick on Feb 7, 2020 at 4:32 pm
@ Gordon of Riverdale
Don't forget Jonas own disastrous campaign. Or the fact we all had to see his mug on the back of city buses for a year and a half.
Up 30 Down 25
HarvardYaleAndPrincetonMan on Feb 7, 2020 at 4:15 pm
It's hilarious that Smith has none of the qualifications that he claims Benoit has.
Up 32 Down 29
Gordon of Riverdale on Feb 7, 2020 at 2:10 pm
HUH ?
The guy who ran Pasloski's disastrous re-election campaign gets to be
high profile ?
How many sitting Premiers finish LAST in their own riding when seeking a second term ?
Pasloski did.
Up 35 Down 16
Karen Parsons on Feb 7, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Wrong. Linda Benoit has been active in and for the Yukon party for pretty much all of her adult life, much before Jonas. If Currie and Brad weren't running against her they would endorse her too.
Up 51 Down 20
JoE on Feb 7, 2020 at 9:27 am
“ high-profile endorsement” ?? Hahaha, sorry but who writes this stuff ??
Up 51 Down 21
Woodcutter on Feb 7, 2020 at 9:16 am
Put party first? We need leader that puts the voters first. I'll pass on this one.
Up 42 Down 30
Henry Wensleydale on Feb 6, 2020 at 8:06 pm
"Linda Benoit, a candidate for the leadership of the Yukon Party, received a high-profile endorsement today.
Jonas Smith, the Yukon’s Conservative Party of Canada candidate in the 2019 federal election, is throwing his support behind Benoit."
A LOSING candidate who has never had a real job is high profile ?
SMIRK !
Will Ryan Leef be endorsing Brad Cathers ?
Will Darryl Pasloski be endorsing Currie Dixon ?
Up 30 Down 28
Ginger Johnson on Feb 6, 2020 at 8:00 pm
SOOOOO - "Rusty Pasloski" still hasn't found (or is even looking for )
his first REAL job?
Up 32 Down 30
Edie Rue on Feb 6, 2020 at 7:42 pm
That’s unfortunate. I supported her until this came to light.
Kidding of course, I think she is miles ahead of others in the leadership race in respect to motivation, dignity, respect and intelligence.
I’m just not a Smith fan.
Up 41 Down 39
Lol on Feb 6, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Fentie begat Paz.
Paz begat Leef.
Leef begat Jonas.
Jonas begat Benoit.
It's losers all the way down!