Yukon Green candidate goes on attack at environmental forum
It was a mostly polite affair, with three of Yukon's federal candidates showing they share a lot of common ground. But Green candidate Frank de Jong eventually decided he'd had enough.
"These guys — sorry to get un-Parliamentary — but they're hypocrites," de Jong said.
The forum last night may have given de Jong his most sympathetic crowd in this election campaign. It was hosted by the Yukon Conservation Society and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), two of the most prominent environmental watchdogs in Yukon.
"Climate change is a fact. Why are you still supporting pipelines?" de Jong asked his opponents. "Why are you still supporting Arctic drilling?"
"Why does the NDP support nuclear power and uranium processing?"
The NDP's Melissa Atkinson and Liberal Larry Bagnell also took part in the forum, but Conservative Ryan Leef was campaigning in Watson Lake.
The three participants agreed about many issues — opposing Bill S-6 and fracking, restoring funding to federal science programs, and strengthening protection of fisheries and waterways.
"I believe as Canadians, we're getting a little tired of being thrown under the omnibus," said Atkinson, referring to a Conservative bill that overhauled the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
But there was at least one audience question that went unanswered last night.
"I've been hearing a lot of common ground here," said Johanne Lalonde. "Why you don't pull together all your resources instead of us split the vote and end up with another four years of what you describe as such an affront?"
