Yukon NDP leader Liz Hanson seeks re-election, wants to be next premier

Yukon's NDP leader Liz Hanson will seek re-election in Whitehorse Centre in the upcoming territorial election, after her nomination went uncontested Thursday night.

About 80 New Democrat members were there to support Hanson as she was nominatedparty candidate. As the leader of the Official Opposition, Hanson saidthe NDP's focus will not be on the Liberals this fall.

"We're running to defeat the Yukon Party Government and that's our focus," she said.

"It's the Yukon Party that has been in power for 14 years, that have eroded the trust with Yukon First Nations governments, have undermined our economy. So we're really focusing on the Yukon Party."

Hanson hasheld the seat for Whitehorse Centre since 2010. Now shewants to be Yukon's next premier.

"When we talk about the issues and the strength of our team, that's one of the things we are coming to this election with is a very strong official opposition caucus that has got to know over the last five years the ins and outs of government," she said.

"Unlike the Yukon government which has rotated its ministers and its deputies every few months, we've actually stayed focused."

Hanson said between hard work and going door-to-door to talk toYukoners, she's hopeful the NDP will form government in the next election.

A territorial election must be called by the fall.

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