Premier Ranj Pillai has denounced political emails sent by an opposition MLA to workers in the territorial Health and Social Services department.
Pillai told the Yukon Legislative Assembly on April 29 that the Yukon government had complaints brought to it because of that direct communication.
Yukon government cabinet communications released an email from a Yukon Party MLA that was received by “several” staff on their work email addresses. Cabinet communications staff said it was part of “behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts” by the Official Opposition around the Health Authority Act.
The email to staffers from Yvonne Clarke, the Yukon Party MLA for Porter Creek Centre, claims that continuing care would become part of the new health authority if the new law passed, which it did pass as a result of the Yukon Liberal Party and Yukon NDP MLAs voting together on April 29.
Clarke’s email indicates that all staff in continuing care, Yukon hospitals, emergency medical services and community nursing will no longer work for the Yukon government.
“I’m curious if you know about this,” reads the email, which goes on to state the Yukon Party Caucus opposes the legislation.
The email encourages the reader to “talk to your union and ask” about what the move will mean for their job, pension and benefits, and what happens when the current collective agreement ends.
Pillai outlined his concerns in a letter dated April 9 to Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon.
The premier is concerned that Yukon Party Caucus members are using Yukon government worker’s email addresses for partisan purposes and that Yukon government employees have a “right to work in a nonpartisan, apolitical environment.”
The premier has further claimed that Dixon’s caucus is “distracting” government employees at work and that points in the email are “leading” and it’s “unfair” to involve Yukon government staff in partisan efforts while they are at work.
Pillai wonders how the sender got access to the staff email addresses.
“Given that the emails in question originate from a former Department of Health and Social Services employee, who previously had access to Yukoners’ personal information, I am concerned that these email addresses may have been acquired through her former employment,” Pillai wrote.
Pillai assumed Dixon endorsed the approach.
“However, I would like to give you the benefit of the doubt as well as the opportunity to respond, correct the record and speak to your caucus colleagues about appropriate conduct when interacting with Yukon government employees,” Pillai wrote.
Dixon responded to the premier by letter on April 29.
Dixon’s letter notes MLAs regularly engage with and get feedback from their constituents or members of the community about matters before the legislature. It’s an important part of the job, he argued. That engagement often involves corresponding directly with the large number of Yukon government employees, he wrote.
Dixon indicated that Yukon government employee emails are publicly available online.
Laura Seeley, in cabinet communications, clarified by email that the premier’s “correct the record” reference refers to points in Clarke’s email, which call on employees to inquire with their unions about their pensions, benefits and provisions covered under their collective agreements.
“Raising these questions implies that the Health Authority Act might negatively affect pensions, benefits and provisions outlined in collective agreements,” Seeley notes, adding that these aspects are “safeguarded by Canadian law.”
“Suggesting otherwise is misleading,” Seeley said.
Seeley said Pillai is urging Dixon “to ensure that his caucus takes responsibility for being transparent and factual when communicating with constituents.”
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com