They Are All in This Together

26-Nov-2009

Whitehorse – All remaining Yukon Party MLAs have endorsed Premier Dennis Fentie’s public betrayal of Yukoners by voting confidence in his actions and conduct, says Official Opposition Leader Arthur Mitchell. A motion of non-confidence was defeated 8-7 with all Yukon Party MLAs backing the Premier.

“They are all in this together,” he said. “The government members cast their lot with their leader today and Yukon voters will remember their actions when the next election comes.”

Liberal House Leader Gary McRobb said the result of Wednesday’s motion was not a surprise.

“We’re disappointed but not surprised to see all the Yukon Party MLAs back the Premier,” he said. “They were given an opportunity to do the right thing, follow the wishes of their constituents and remove the Premier from office. In the end they put their loyalty to the Premier and to the Yukon Party above their responsibilities to constituents and taxpayers.”
McRobb said after the events of this summer Yukoners no longer trust the government.

“In early June Yukoners learned the Premier had spent the winter trying to privatize the Yukon Energy Corporation and had spent the spring politically interfering in the Peel watershed planning process,” he said. “The Premier denied both accusations but the facts say otherwise. The result is the public no longer trusts the Yukon Party.”

McRobb said Yukoners could thank the MLA for McIntyre-Takhini for allowing the Yukon Party to live another day.
“After saying he would never support the Premier, Mr. Edzerza fell in line today and backed the school yard bully,” he said.

The Liberal Leader thanked the NDP for deciding to support the non-confidence motion.

“I am pleased they supported the motion but disappointed they chose not to put on the record why they too have lost confidence in this government,” he said.

Mitchell also noted Lake Laberge MLA Brad Cathers found a convenient way to avoid having to vote on the matter despite expressing non-confidence in the Premier.