The NDP is resurrecting a favourite item of contention amongst the Yukon’s political parties. That’s the thorny subject of how the parties raise their spending money.
“While the Yukon NDP does not take corporate or union donations and all individual contributions over $250 are publicly reported, the Yukon Party and Liberals both take corporate and union donations,” NDP Leader Kate White said in a statement this week.
“Last year, the Yukon Party and Liberals each raised over $40,000 in funds that were listed as ‘other revenue’, meaning that their sources are hidden.”
White added, “With both parties receiving such significant sources of income from secret sources – it raises questions. I’m asking them to be transparent and let Yukoners know who’s influencing their decisions.”
In 2022, the Yukon Party led in donations, with $122,466. The Yukon Liberal Party was next, with just less than $100,000.
The NDP was third, with $58,982.
“We’re incredibly proud of our transparency and not taking corporate and union donations,” White said. “We are proud that the Yukon NDP is funded by people for people, that’s how we believe politics should be.”
Melanie Brais, the president of the Yukon Party, said, “The Yukon Party properly and accurately discloses all political contributions as outlined in the Yukon Elections Act and under the guidance of the chief electoral officer.
“The Yukon Party is proud of our extensive fundraising efforts, and the ‘other revenue’ portion of the financing report is made up of several sources, including tickets to Yukon Party events like our annual meeting and fall dinners, a Roundup reception, and our annual golf tournament and dinner,” Brais said.
“It also includes the money generated from memberships, auctions and silent auctions at our numerous events. The donations of those items are all disclosed in the in-kind portion of the financing report.”
Carly Carruthers, the president of the Yukon Liberal Party, did not have much to say when the question was posed to her by The Yukon Star.
“The Yukon Liberal Party is proud of its fundraising efforts and reports all revenues in accordance with the requirements as set by Elections Yukon,” Carruthers said.