WHITEHORSE – Eileen Melnychuk has successfully been nominated as the Yukon Liberal candidate for Porter Creek North. Melnychuk won a majority of 104 votes cast at the Mt. MacIntyre Recreation Centre in a contest with Mike Tribes.

Born to a placer mining family and raised in Watson Lake, Melnychuk has been a dedicated volunteer and community activist who was nominated as Volunteer of the Year in 2012. She realized her work with community and First Nation government and community groups aligned well with Liberal values of balancing fiscal responsibility with upholding social programs.

“I keep hearing from the people in my riding that they want change,” said Melnychuk. “Last October’s election of a Liberal government in Ottawa has brought about many positive, progressive changes at the federal level, and I want to work to see positive changes here at home too.”

Melnychuk has worked for a number of important causes and organizations over the years, including for youth at risk, for women’s programs, for First Nation organizations, and to help welcome refugees to Yukon.

“In the many discussions I have enjoyed having with people in my riding, the need for affordable housing keeps coming up as a major issue. I have been impressed by the number of industrious, pioneering Yukoners who offer innovative ideas about housing. They need to be heard and they need to have a real chance to own their own homes.”

“Yukon Liberal leader Sandy Silver is a consensus builder who believes in bringing people together to find informed solutions for the benefit of all Yukoners,” said Melnychuk. “It is time for our government to to fully engage with our First Nations, to work together for a sustainable economy while protecting Yukon’s natural resources.”

“Eileen Melnycuk has demonstrated her commitment to building a more vibrant Yukon through meaningful partnerships,” says Liberal leader Sandy Silver. “We welcome her addition to this strong and diverse Liberal team, and I look forward to working with Eileen.”