There are some interesting contrasts between the Yukon political parties and their finances.

Elections Yukon’s numbers are out for the 2020 donations to the various parties. A few things jump out at a reader’s eye immediately.

First, the NDP received donations from more than 500 donors.

Second, the Yukon Party raised an impressive amount of money.

Third, many Liberal donations came from their own cabinet ministers, and family members. Premier Sandy Silver was the largest single donor to his own party.

Currie Dixon, the leader of the Yukon Party, told the Star this week there “were a few notable points” to the report from Elections Yukon.

“It’s a positive thing for us,” he said. “And I think the NDP should be pleased with their results.”

As for the Liberals, Dixon was quick to say the report doesn’t paint them in a flattering light.

“Most of their donations came from their own ranks,” he pointed out. “That’s not a positive indication of popular support.

“The premier donated about 10 per cent of the money they took in. Any political party wants to see widespread support.”

The list of Liberal donors certainly appears to show a close-knit coterie of support.

Silver made two donations to the party: one for $7,000 and one for $1,560.

Jason Cunning, a prominent Liberal supporter and a top aide to the premier, donated $1,720.

Cabinet minister Ranj Pillai donated $1,500, while minister Tracy-Anne McPhee gave $1,490.

Minister John Streicker donated $1,100 while Jeanie McLean chipped in $1,000.

Minister Richard Mostyn put in $520, with other Mostyn family members also contributing.

The TD Canada Trust Bank provided $1,000. BMC Minerals in British Columbia donated $500.

Longtime supporter Lesley Cabott donated $500.

The party collected a total of $41,160 in donations and in-kind donations.

“We’re very happy with our fundraising results in 2020 and over the last three years,” Liberal vice-president Carly Carruthers said today.

“Over that period, our numbers are very similar to those of the Yukon Party. Obviously, the Yukon Party’s fundraising efforts didn’t translate into an election win in 2021, demonstrating that raising the most money isn’t always the best measure of success,” Carruthers added.

The NDP had 509 donations for a total $91,163.10.

Leader Kate White contributed $1,250. She was one of the top donors.

Robin Steudel donated $1,335. The top contributor was Skeeter Wright, with a $1,440 contribution.

There were no corporate or business donations.

White said it “was incredibly humbling to see so many people contributing to the party.

“So many people have supported the party, whether they’ve donated five dollars or a thousand dollars. It’s inspiring.”

She said she has contributed back to the party herself ever since being involved in politics.

“I can’t ask people to donate if I won’t support the party myself,” she said.

Francois Picard, the NDP’s chief of staff, said today, “As you can see in previous year reports, they are waaaay up. Which, to be fair, is normal in the ramp-up towards an election.

“It will usually go down after each election and build back up. But I don’t think any party has had this many individual donors in a year ever, at least since I can find reports,” Picard added.

The Yukon Party had 161 monetary donations totalling nearly $103,000. With in-kind donations, that total ballooned to $110,246.48,

Dixon said that’s a record amount for any party in the territory.

Many of his caucus members donated money, as with the Liberals, but the party received far more corporate donations than either the Liberals or the NDP.

Midnight Sun Drilling from Whitehorse was the big contributor at $10,000. Pelly Construction Ltd. chipped in $8,000.

CAP Management Services provided $5,000, as did PNW Waste Removal.

Veteran MLA Brad Cathers donated $1,925, while fellow MLA Stacey Hassard donated $1,550.

MLA Patricia McLeod provided $1,200, while caucus colleague Scott Kent donated $1,100.

Dixon himself contributed $764.27.