Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai with Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok for a Council of the Federation meeting. Photo courtesy of Ranj Pillai/Facebook.
Whitehorse, YT – The Yukon Party says Premier Ranj Pillai needs to call an election to secure an electoral mandate before pursuing retaliatory measures in response to incoming President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariff threat while the government states that Pillai already has a legitimate mandate.
Pillai has participated in meetings with Canada’s Premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where discussions have included the possibility of retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s threat. Premier Pillai has not ruled out such measures and is scheduled to meet with the incoming Trump administration on February 12th to address the issue.
Yukon Party leader Currie Dixon argues that without an election, Premier Pillai is in no position to consider retaliatory tariffs and adds that securing an electoral mandate would strengthen Pillai’s position in negotiations.
“I think that having a strong electoral mandate from Yukoners would strengthen the position of a Yukon government or Premier in having those discussions,” said Dixon. “The absence of any sort of democratic electoral mandate for this premier weakens his position.”
The Premier’s office dismissed the Yukon Party’s claims of a lack of mandate as “misinformation.” A spokesperson for Cabinet Communications explained that voters elect local representatives, and the leader is chosen by the governing party, asserting that Pillai has a legitimate mandate to govern.
There was no word on whether Premier Pillai would call an early election.
