Photo by Vince Fedoroff
A MAJOR CHANGE IN COURSE – Premier Sandy Silver announces his plans to leave politics on Friday morning as cabinet staff members look on. The premier will not seek a fourth term as the MLA for Klondike. Inset Currie Dixon
YP foresees an ‘untenable’ legislature
Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon has thanked Sandy Silver for his years of public service, but says the retiring premier is leaving behind a very mixed legacy.
Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon has thanked Sandy Silver for his years of public service, but says the retiring premier is leaving behind a very mixed legacy.
Silver announced Friday he will not seek a fourth term as the Liberal MLA for Klondike in the next territorial election, which is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2025.
He has instructed the Yukon Liberal Party to initiate a leadership convention to determine the next leader. No date has been chosen yet.
He plans to continue to serve as the MLA for Klondike for the duration of his term, and will stay on as premier until a new leader is chosen.
“I would like to thank Premier Silver for his almost six years of service as premier,” Dixon said in a statement Friday.
“It is a challenging job at the best of times, and Premier Silver led during some of the most difficult times.
“The announcement comes as no surprise,” Dixon added. “In May, the Yukon Party official Opposition flagged that the premier was planning to step aside.
“We called on the premier to set out the rules that ministers seeking the leadership must follow to ensure that ministers do not use government resources or their positions as ministers to campaign. He did not do that.
“Instead, the Yukon government has been left without any political direction for months.”
Silver’s legacy will be “very mixed,” Dixon added.
“His handling of cases of sexual abuse in a Yukon school, and his refusal to remove the former minister of Education (Tracy-Anne McPhee) from cabinet despite a majority of the Yukon Legislative Assembly calling for her resignation (in late 2021) is a stain on his legacy and that of the Yukon Liberal Party.
“Yukon’s education system is in shambles, and serious issues facing schools arise weekly,” Dixon said.
“Thousands of Yukoners are without a family doctor.
“The relationship between Yukon Government and rural communities has never been weaker, and conflict between municipalities and the current minister of Community Services (Richard Mostyn) has become the norm.”
The timing of Friday’s announcement is also of concern, Dixon said.
“When the legislature returns for the fall sitting, the official Opposition will have to question a lame duck premier and ministers that are actively running for leadership. This is untenable for conducting the business of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
“The Yukon Party Official Opposition reiterates our call for the current premier to set out clear rules for sitting cabinet ministers that are seeking leadership, to ensure that their positions and government resources are not being abused and used to campaign.”
After the 2021 election, the Yukon NDP signed an agreement with the Liberals to support the minority government in the legislature.
That deal is scheduled to end in January 2023, but could be extended.
“The Yukon NDP caucus would like to thank Premier Silver for his years of service to Yukoners,” party leader Kate White said Friday.
“From when he was an MLA to the premier, it takes dedication and perseverance to do this work, especially through a pandemic.
“I am proud to have been able to work with him and his government in the last year via our Confidence and Supply Agreement, to advance real changes for Yukoners – such as the increase to minimum wage, the end of uncontrolled rent hikes, and the opening of the supervised consumption site in Whitehorse.
“I wish him all the best for the next chapter of his life,” White added.
Silver, 52, was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in October 2011, when the Yukon Party was elected to another term in government under premier Darrell Pasloski.
Silver was thrust into the acting Liberal leadership role after the late Darius Elias left the caucus to sit as an independent, leaving Silver to represent the party singlehandedly in the house. Elias later became a Yukon Party backbencher.
Silver was chosen to continue representing the people of Dawson City in 2016, leading the Liberals to a majority government and becoming the first MLA for Klondike to serve as premier.
He was chosen to represent the Klondike for a third consecutive term in 2021.
Silver now stands as the longest-serving current premier in Canada.
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Comments (33)
Up 0 Down 0
lol on Oct 15, 2022 at 7:34 pm
@john
It’s fascinating watching someone like you who is so confidently wrong about everything.
See ya in 2025. Bring a hankie, you’re gonna need it.
Up 0 Down 2
Vinny on Sep 18, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Just like a Liberal, only good at spending money and patting themselves on the back. Oh ya and never answering a direct question.
Up 4 Down 5
John on Sep 18, 2022 at 1:11 pm
@ Roy
Read much? I clearly said what you quoted. Neither what the YP or this whatever coalition comes under the EA as 'lol' inferred. God you are as bad as that other individual. Put your brain in gear before you yap. You are rambling about something entirely different than the subject matter of the discussion.
Up 4 Down 1
Roy on Sep 17, 2022 at 8:08 pm
@John
"You don't know much about the Elections Act, that's obvious. You see in the EA there is no mention of adhoc coalitions such as we have. "
Then why did the Yukon Party meet with the NDP after the last election to try and form the government? This isn't a secret - Curry Dixon is on record stating he tried to form a coalition but that they and the NDP couldn't agree to terms. Go ahead and search - he's on the record talking about it.
It's amazing to watch YP supporters pull out their hair over the current "adhoc" "illegal" coalition that their own party wanted to form themselves. Talk about hypocrisy.
Press thumbs down if the fact that Dixon wanted to join with the NDP is too much for you to deal with - we'll call it an "emotional support red thumbs down button" for Yukon Party reality denying snowflakes.
Up 4 Down 4
John on Sep 17, 2022 at 1:21 pm
@ lol
You don't know much about the Elections Act, that's obvious. You see in the EA there is no mention of adhoc coalitions such as we have. Before you put your mouth in gear I suggest you use what little you have between your ears to 'think' before you yap.
Up 8 Down 14
lol on Sep 16, 2022 at 4:13 pm
@john
Ask yourself who is in power right now. The YLP. That’s right. They won. Fair and square under the rules of the elections act.
Had the contest been about who can send the most vulgar text or who wants to fight in the Legislative parking lot we might have a different government. But we don’t.
See you in 2025
Up 8 Down 6
Groucho d'North on Sep 16, 2022 at 3:17 pm
For those of you who believe the Liberals were the dominate winners in the 2001 election. Review the poll results on page 10: Some ridings were squeekers.
https://electionsyukon.ca/sites/elections/files/ge_2021_ceo_report_to_leg_assembly.pdf
Up 12 Down 7
John on Sep 16, 2022 at 11:54 am
@ lol
You say to DL - "you lost". That is not quite accurate - in fact the libs did not garner the seats they needed to form a government, nor did they win the hearts and minds of Yukoners visa-vie the popular vote. It was only through the shenanigans of them and the NDP that has placed them where they are. I would say "the Yukon lost" the right to determine who should have governed.
Up 8 Down 12
Observer on Sep 16, 2022 at 10:25 am
It is laughable when the right demands an election NOW, like they are preordained to win? How has the worked out lately?
Funny Currie talking about legacy, being the guy along with the Paz who tried to rewrite the Final Agreements for their pals to rape the Peel.
Up 5 Down 4
Roy on Sep 15, 2022 at 11:05 pm
@Joe
Just stick your head in the sand and ignore the facts that I posted that wreck your world view.
Never lose sight of how special you are and how persecuted you are and how you are owed so much yet have so little.
Then listen for the dog whistles that your multi-millionaire politician will use to get you to defend his hypocrisy. You’ll then come on here and do their bidding like a good lap dog.
The liberals suck. The YP sucks even more. So do the NDP. Let’s hear you say it too…
Up 10 Down 15
lol on Sep 15, 2022 at 3:27 pm
@DL
We just had an election.
You lost.
See ya in 2025!
Up 20 Down 10
Joe on Sep 14, 2022 at 11:54 am
@ Roy... you keep saying the same thing over and over like if you say it enough times it will be true. Typical liberal spin.
Up 10 Down 1
Tyler on Sep 13, 2022 at 11:13 pm
Just because someone says something, doesn't make it true. Even if they really, really want it to be.
Up 6 Down 1
drum on Sep 13, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Be careful what you wish for.
Up 32 Down 28
DL on Sep 13, 2022 at 12:41 pm
To SSilver: before you run away from the Yukon, let's have an investigation of the covax you mandated on us. Such as the "Sudden Adult Death Syndrome" (SADS) among the vaxed. And the list of serious adverse events that Pfizer sought to hide for the next several decades. And the high rates of unexplained excess mortality across Canada.
Up 34 Down 16
DL on Sep 13, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Call an election NOW!
Up 40 Down 6
Mr Facts on Sep 13, 2022 at 12:04 pm
Great photo. Really shows the professionalism when everyone is on their phone.
Up 19 Down 30
TheHammer on Sep 13, 2022 at 10:42 am
"YP Foresees'... Who in their right mind would credit YP with foresight?
Up 34 Down 12
Groucho d'North on Sep 13, 2022 at 10:12 am
I fully expect the coming legislative session to be a parade of egos as some try to appeal as a potential leader for the Yukon Liberal party. I believe all of the Liberal MLAs are tainted as witnessed by the performance they gave over the past few years.
The Hidden Valley School scandal saw all of them running for cover with none standing up for the children or the 'right thing to do'
The Housing Crisis? Yup they spent a tonne of money.
The Hopeless Centre? Lots more money for nothin.
Strong arm tatctics were used to force employees to get vaccinated.
I'm sure others can easily add to this list of greatest hits.
I believe most Yukoners will make their decisions based on the history of Liberal performance to date rather than more generic promises about the future.
Up 32 Down 16
Austin on Sep 13, 2022 at 7:10 am
Good bye SS. Take some of your blow hards with you.Please. Let the Yukon get back to being a nice and affordable place to live.
Up 30 Down 33
YP Involved in Hidden Valley on Sep 12, 2022 at 10:38 pm
Its very rich of Currie Dixon to talk about the Liberals role in Hidden Valley without acknowledging his own party's guilt! The pedophile started abusing kids back in at least 2015 when he was a cabinet member in the Yukon Party government of the time. If the pedophile would have been removed at the time he was first caught back then, no other children would have gotten hurt. So its fine to go after the Libs, but you should also acknowledge your own culpability.
Up 25 Down 33
Roy on Sep 12, 2022 at 6:43 pm
Curry met with the NDP to try and form a coalition. He is quoted as saying so - "We met with then but in the end couldn't come to a mutually satisfactory agreement to form a coalition government"
So for all of you pulling out your last remaining hairs over the Liberal/NDP coalition - just remember Dixon wanted to do the same - but he failed. Probably was distracted by texting some immature joke to a colleague at the same time.
To be clear the Liberals suck. They've screwed up a lot of things here. But better them than the Yukon Party - some of you have short memories of what they were like when they were in power.
Some of you also conveniently ignore the fact that more provinces and territories had conservative premiers during the pandemic - and they all had the same or even stricter vaccine mandates, masking, lockdowns, and closed borders. They must also be part of this great reset you speak of! The Conservatives!
Hit thumbs down if you are one of those people ignoring these facts so that you can keep denying reality and live on in your narrow bubble. Don't let facts hurt your feelings!
Up 21 Down 10
Interloper on Sep 12, 2022 at 5:48 pm
In response to Sheepchaser on Sep 12, 2022 at 4:54 pm:
Your post raises an interesting dilemma. One must consider whether or not Silver’s premiership should be given interloper status and his actions and the actions of his government to be null and void. Not only did he not intend to remain in the Yukon but he treated the electorate and political office with contempt through his support of Tracey McPhee - An illegitimate and non-representative government.
It should be hoped that he takes “her” with him when he leaves. We need a government that is willing and able to protect its children - From the group home scandal to the sex abuse scandal to closing down schools and the economy with mask mandates and quarantine orders these a**holes have failed to protect societies most vulnerable members.
Perhaps, if you are going to serve in public office, create next level chaos, then your pension should only be awarded if you reside in the province or territory you governed.
This is also a good point Sheepchaser:
“Mr. Silver’s departure… no… abandonment of the Yukon speaks volumes about his generation of leaders”. I absolutely agree. This government emulates the general societal disconnect between the prefrontal cortex and the emotional centre of the brain - The L-NDP alliance origin story speaks to this lack of executive function of the Executive branch of government.
Good point Tom W - “A final disrespect at it's best caught in a photograph.”
Up 72 Down 12
Sheepchaser on Sep 12, 2022 at 4:54 pm
The sentiment the Yukon Party is trying to get across here is not wrong.
What are we to make of our politicians and their decisions when they don’t stay? If they weren’t planning to stay from the beginning then their policies and representation of Yukoners has no personal stake and never did. That Mr. Silver will never have to deal with the long term consequences of his own policies and appears to be openly fleeing from them is deeply concerning. Criticism of him for having secured his pension and then going lame are certainly valid. Especially when there is no viable replacement.
When Hanley strolled into a nomination for MP without a leadership nomination or vote, the stench began. A stench I think clings to so many of the self-serving politicians we call leaders in the Yukon. I should mention, that is inclusive of the Yukon Party. I don’t see Mr. Dixon as a cure for that at all. He might be enough of a amateur to think that his transitory statements or pointing out the hypocrisy of fellow politicians makes up for a total lack of innate ability, successful real world experience outside of politics and a very small worldview lacking in essential complexity will win the day, but the voting public knows better (I hope).
Mr. Silver’s departure… no… abandonment of the Yukon speaks volumes about his generation of leaders. We have, right now, a very poignant example of life long service and sacrifice from the generation that preceded him and his ilk. Anyone that wants to do some good for others rather than mostly themselves would be well advised to skip a generation when looking for inspiration.
Up 80 Down 26
Juniper Jackson on Sep 12, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Oh my God, just get out. I am so tired of the BS Liberals, locally and federally. I'm sure only the NDP could have done a worse job than the Liberals have.
Conservatives aren't perfect by a long shot, but, next election i'm giving them that long shot and will be watching like a hawk. I don't want to see back room deals, money changing hands inside government, lies, diversions, divisions..I'm just sick of all of it.
Up 45 Down 68
stephen on Sep 12, 2022 at 4:00 pm
I guess tricky Dixy has forgotten all the bad things his YP government did while in power. Some the issues such as teachers and doctor shortages are a world wide problem. Guess he forgot that.
When the YP had a leadership change did they follow the same requirement tricky Dixy is asking for? Na he is more do as i say not as i do. God help the Yukon with leaders like this.
I don't iike t he Libs but compared to the YP they are much better well unless you are a businessman who owns the YP then your gravy train may have just come in.
Up 28 Down 62
woodcutter on Sep 12, 2022 at 3:50 pm
YP couldn't forsee their back to back election losses, what make one think they can forsee their next loss?
Up 62 Down 20
George Moss on Sep 12, 2022 at 3:32 pm
Good riddance I say and I only wish that an election be called asap, Kate White couldn’t help herself by still riding in the coattails of the liberals with something about wages and drugs and rent and maybe not in that order……what was that again Kate?
Up 82 Down 9
Tom W on Sep 12, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Although I'm certainly not commenting on how the Liberal party is or is not doing, (I'll leave that to the other online critics) what I do find amusing is the photo. Cabinet staff members seem to all be bored and waiting for him to leave - seen by a number of them ignoring what he has to say while each is looking at their own phones. A final disrespect at it's best caught in a photograph.
Up 33 Down 42
Patti Eyre on Sep 12, 2022 at 3:24 pm
I, too would like to thank Currie Dixon for his time as MLA, but his legacy is crazy mixed.
Up 59 Down 45
The Real Just Sayin' on Sep 12, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Dixon for premier!
Up 46 Down 45
Lawl on Sep 12, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Cryin’ Currie: we demand the Premier resigns!
~Sandy resigns~
Cryin’ Currie: NOT LIKE THAT!!!
Up 36 Down 46
Politico on Sep 12, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Lover Currie telling Sandy to make sure everyone behaves during the leadership campaign but as usual is afraid to say what he thinks the rules should be. Total lack of leadership!