Yukon candidates ready for another close election

It will be a long campaignwith some long roads to travel.

Yukon candidates know every vote counts: It was proven in the close election of 2011.

Today, three candidatesstopped by the CBC studio in Whitehorse to kick off a 72-day marathon ofcommunity visits, BBQs, debatesand interviews.

A radio chat with CBC's Sandi Coleman was a quick opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves and their platforms.

Leefciteseconomy, terrorism

Conservative Ryan Leef is Yukon's incumbent candidate, having won the election by about one percentage point with about 34% of the vote.

He mentioned the economy as a top concern.

"We know we've been facing some challenging economic times, we know Yukoners are concerned about that," he said.

"When we hear Yukoners talk about their present day and their future, it's tied to the state of the economy, and what the prospects for work are," he said.

When asked about Yukoners' concerns, Leef mentioned an international issue: Terrorism.

He voiced support for military engagement against ISIS.

"We face some real challenges internationally, with the rise of terrorism in the world," Leef said. "Yukoners have talked a lot about that, I think they want to know our country is playing its role in that fight."

Leef said he's proud looking back at the last four years.

"I'm going be able to talk about my record, in comparison to Larry's record. Of course Melissa's in the same position I was coming in in 2011 but my story is one I am looking forward to sharing. I feel very confident the work I've been doing over the last four years will be inspiring to Yukoners," he said.

Leef defended Prime Minister's Stephen Harper's decision to launch a 72-day election campaign saying "we're looking forward to the length of it. I think the longer campaign, the more likely we're going to have the democratic engagement."

Bagnellsays democratic institutions eroded

Liberal candidate Larry Bagnelll said the Conservative government has damaged the institutions of democracy in Canada, environmental protection andthe public service.

'We really need to get our reputation (back) around the world," he said.

"I'm trying to give hope, have a positive campaign, and get people excited and restore our democracy. We have that 32-point platform of giving Elections Canada their strength, the Parliamentary Budget officer, giving it all back so they can control parliament. Not having abuse of omnibus bills and prorogation, robocallls, these types of things."

Bagnell said the Liberal party in Yukon, coming off a loss by 132votes, has redoubled its efforts in recruitment.

"We're raring to go, we're signed up 2000 new members last summer,"he said.

Bagnell added a Liberal government would pledge to restore funding to Parks Canada, adepartment which has lost 30 jobs in Yukon since 2010 and saidLiberal leader Justin Trudeau has committed to enacting all recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

"I really want to restore that relationship with First Nations because it will help our economy and it's the right thing to do," he said.

Atkinson says Bill C-51 a concern

NDP Candidate Melissa Atkinson is aWhitehorse lawyer working on her first campaign. She is aformer chair of the Yukon Human Rights Commission and alsoa member of the Tr'ondk Hwch'in First Nation.

Her campaign will be managed byAudreyMcLaughlin, who was the NDP's nationalleader from 1989 to 1995.

"We've ordered the signs!" Atkinson said this morning. "We've put together a team that has (both) the corporate knowledge and the power of a youth contingent."

Atkinson said Yukoners want a MP who will represent their voice in Ottawa. "People want to feel respected and want to feel their member of parliament is going to represent them," she said. Atkinson also mentioned the NDP's opposition to Bill C-51 as "one of the top issues" in the campaign.

She said the NDP recently signed up 200 new members within two weeks.

"I want to let people know I am born and raised here in Yukon, I had issues to the status quo and that's why I stepped to take this position. I'm willing to listen, first and foremost," she said.

Atkinsonsaid she wants to portray the NDP as a viable choice to form Canada's next government."I want to let Yukoners know that the NDP is a choice. It's going to be an epic fall election," she said.

Green party candidate a formerOntario party leader

Green Party candidate Frank de Jongcouldn't make it to this morning's radio interview for a very Yukon reason: He's currently paddling on a river trip.

The formerOntario Green Party leader now lives in Faro, Yukon where he works as a school teacher.

The Green Party had one of its strongest federal showings in Yukonin 2011, with candidate John Streicker taking more than 18% of the total vote.

The Libertarian Party is also running a candidate, Cory Laidler, in the territory.

With a 72-day campaign ahead, de Jong and all candidates will have plenty of time to make their case.