Whitehorse Daily Star

Timing of leadership convention not yet set

Premier Sandy Silver was the subject of lavish praise this morning from the Liberal party whose leadership he plans to surrender.

By Whitehorse Star on September 9, 2022

Premier Sandy Silver was the subject of lavish praise this morning from the Liberal party whose leadership he plans to surrender.

The premier, the party said in a statement, has asked the party to initiate a leadership convention “and engage with party members to select a new leader who will continue to support strong, positive progress for all Yukoners and lead the Yukon Liberal Party (YLP) in the next territorial election, which is scheduled for November 
 3, 2025.

“Sandy will continue to represent the Klondike for the remainder of his term, and he will continue to serve as the Yukon’s premier until a new leader is chosen by the Yukon Liberal Party.

“The YLP is pleased that Sandy has committed to continue representing the people of Dawson City and working tirelessly with his Liberal colleagues to make the Yukon a better place to live.”

Paolo Gallina, a former MLA who’s now a party spokesman, added, “Today we pause to reflect on the important and significant work Sandy Silver has done for his constituents in the Klondike, for all Yukoners as the premier, and for Yukon Liberals as the party leader.

“Under Sandy’s leadership, the Yukon Liberal Party went from one seat in the legislative assembly to forming a majority government, and he has proved to be the most successful Liberal leader in the Yukon’s history,” Gallina added.

“His commitment to a balanced approach to the environment and the economy has resonated with Yukoners and forged a more prosperous future for the territory.

“Under his leadership, the Yukon has established the fastest-growing economy in the country with the lowest unemployment rate.

“The territory is leading Canada in both GDP growth and population growth. He has also left an indelible mark on governance in the territory by fostering strong, respectful government-to-government relationships with Yukon First Nations for the benefit of all Yukoners.”

When faced with a global pandemic, Gallina said, “Sandy’s steady leadership kept Yukoners safe while delivering support programs that were gold-standard throughout the country.

“For the past six years, Sandy and his team have always put the interests of Yukoners first, moving the territory forward through a wide range of initiatives that the Yukon Liberal Party will continue to advance.”

In the coming days, the party will meet to discuss the rules and timing for a leadership election, as outlined in its constitution.

“An update on that process will be provided as soon as possible,” the party said.

Comments (19)

Up 0 Down 3

Al on Sep 15, 2022 at 1:45 pm

@ Yukoner32

Not different - but certainly more ethical.

However, my saying that to you, mon ami, will be wasted words.

Up 0 Down 3

Al on Sep 15, 2022 at 1:43 pm

@ ...some data for you

The Member Services Board, my friend, is made up of all MLA's - 5 to be exact, https://yukonassembly.ca/committees/msb refers. It is not an independent body of the Leg. Try and make your point clear and concise instead of misleading people into thinking that Board members are from "outside" the Leg. To further clarify, I said an independent body.

When someone enters politics their character is there to be analyzed and come under public scrutiny - especially their ethics, honesty, past history and any other matter the public may see fit to feel is relevant.

Up 6 Down 3

@Al, some data for you on Sep 15, 2022 at 8:55 am

It's easy to find - benefits, salary, pensions are researched and recommended by the Member Services Board, an independent group who benchmarks all sorts of data to compare across Canada. As of 2019 (may have changed), Yukon MLA's and premier were still making less than all jurisdictions with exception of Nunavut. He's lived in Dawson since 1998 - not really a 'blow-in' after 24 years. And I guess if he wants to go home to Nova Scotia to retire, he's allowed to do that. I'm not a huge fan of his, but I don't like the nastiness. As 'Anie' says - no wonder people don't want to give up their jobs/lives to enter Yukon politics.

Up 6 Down 2

Yukoner32 on Sep 14, 2022 at 9:34 pm

@Al

Sure I will remember that. So how about Fentie moving to the Okanagan Valley not long after he left politics? How about Pasloski spending half the year at his other home in Hawaii meaning the money spends not only left the territory, it left the country. I also heard from a good source that Currie Dixon recently bought property in Hawaii as well, so there is a hint as to what his future plans are.

So do these conservatives get as much of your scorn as Silver? Or do you view their actions differently just because they are Yukon Party guys and not Liberals?

Up 10 Down 5

Al on Sep 13, 2022 at 4:35 pm

@ Yukoner 32

I am quite sure you wouldn't know the truth if it smacked you in the choppers.

Do remember this - regarding our trading barbs. The pension monies that most of our MLA's (regardless of who they represent) will likely stay here in the Yukon. However, the windfall that your beloved Premier will be receiving will flow out of the territory - never to see a dime spent here. Now that is what I call loyalty.

Personally I think salaries and pensions of anyone in office should be determined by an independent body - certainly not by any one, or collectively, politician.

Up 7 Down 3

Anie on Sep 13, 2022 at 3:04 pm

Stop and think for a moment folks - presumably we want the best, smartest, and most hard working people to form government. I'm not saying we always get that, but I think that's what we want. Would you give up your professional advancement and income for 8 years in order to be an MLA? Do you really think the best, smartest, hardest working would do that?

Up 4 Down 9

Yukoner32 on Sep 12, 2022 at 8:02 pm

@AI So the truth comes out. You are actually ok paying out massive pensions, much larger than Silver's, so long as they are born and raised Yukoners. Also, I hate to break it to you but Currie Dixon was educated in the same little town where Sandy Silver is from in Nova Scotia. They actually went to the same university. Look it up yourself. But you are right about Cathars and Kent, I don't think they are educated beyond high school here in Yukon. I could be wrong though.

Up 5 Down 8

Toast on Sep 12, 2022 at 6:30 pm

@June.

What about your pension from your time in gov? For someone who professes to know everything about everything you can’t seem to make ends meet yourself. Funny that, no?

Maybe we shouldn’t be taking advise from someone who can’t even manage their own affairs and whines about the very social programs (CPP/OAS) you loath not paying you enough.

Up 3 Down 10

Patti Eyre on Sep 12, 2022 at 4:19 pm

Amen Yukoner, you speak truth!

Up 21 Down 9

Al on Sep 12, 2022 at 1:42 pm

@ Yukoner 32

Your comments about Brad, Currie and Scott are tired. All three were raised and schooled in the Yukon. Silver - well he is a new arrival who will be packing his bags and make a stage right exit. This is the kind of Premier he was - a stopping place to make his fortune from the taxpayers.

You never for one moment look at the mess that he and your friends have made at the expense of Yukoners.

Up 15 Down 20

Yukoner32 on Sep 11, 2022 at 10:52 pm

@AI If you think that Silver has a good pension courtesy of the taxpayer, just wait till you consider the pensions of career politicians Scott Kent, Currie Dixon and Brad Cathers! Those guys have been at the public trough all their lives. At least Silver is probably over 50 years old. Currie Dixon has a lifetime pension from taxpayers and he is only in his 30s.

Then there is Brad Cathers who has been elected for about 20 years so just imagine how big that guy's pension is. Plus add on top of that the 10s of thousands of dollars he claims every year for gas and food just to drive back and forth to Lake Laberge.

If these guys had any decency they would follow Silver into either the private sector or retirement, but unfortunately they don't know how to do anything else besides playing political games and glad-handing at social events.

Up 34 Down 7

Al on Sep 11, 2022 at 12:30 pm

@ Juniper

You are right about a big pension - but you erred on the number of years in the Leg. He came on board in October of 2011 - that makes 11 years ! He will profit extremely well. Combine that with whatever his teacher's pension is and he will be sitting pretty - at our expense I might add.

Up 27 Down 9

John - with a J on Sep 10, 2022 at 6:50 pm

It’s times like this that brings a tune to my mind.
And there’s one tune that sticks out above them all. It goes
“Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am
Stuck in the middle with you”
Bye, bye SANDY

Up 35 Down 9

Groucho d'North on Sep 10, 2022 at 1:14 pm

The Duncan Liberal government was the shortest serving administration in Yukon history. I wonder what the Sliver Liberals will be best known for?

Up 31 Down 11

Wilf Carter on Sep 10, 2022 at 5:56 am

A lot of false statement from liberals over the years such as the liberal created the housing shortage when Larry got in power by millions of dollars and nothing is been done about it since.

Our economy is not strong because it is weaker now than it was when liberals gained power. Governments do not create wealth or economy they consume both. Our economy is built on false hope over the last 7 years.

Look at the cost of living in Yukon!!! Teachers, doctors, nurses, other professional can't find a place to live. Low and middle income earners are now paying most taxes in history and what did Sandy do about it? Nothing. Liberals are done in Yukon.

Up 39 Down 12

Juniper Jackson on Sep 10, 2022 at 12:14 am

To reiterate my opinion in other posts: You stayed 6 years too long. A lot of social and financial damage at your doorstep. You can't get out fast enough.

I heard Silver sold his home in Dawson? 6 years, he's got a full pension to live down south with. Totally undeserved, a $150K + a year? for 6 years of putting a tie on 5 or 6 months of the year? pahlease... If this dollar info is not correct, someone post the right amounts? thx.

Up 76 Down 23

bonanzajoe on Sep 9, 2022 at 4:44 pm

Boy, can those Libs bs it up. Karl Marx would be so proud.

Up 75 Down 21

bonanzajoe on Sep 9, 2022 at 4:42 pm

@"a new leader who will continue to support strong, positive progress for all Yukoners". Ahhahahahahahahah. I must have missed something again.

Up 24 Down 109

Yukon Liberal on Sep 9, 2022 at 4:08 pm

Truly a Yukon Legend without equal

Led the Yukon through many years without controversy and fixed many issues.
His leadership led us through the awful Yukon he inherited, the pandemic and the housing crisis

BRAVO!

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