The City of Whitehorse’s acting financial controller is running for the Yukon Party nomination in Copperbelt North.
Lindsay Schneider made the announcement on June 16.
“I felt like I had something I could offer to the Yukon as a whole,” Schneider told the News on Thursday.
She pointed to her experience working for the City of Whitehorse’s finance department for the last 11 years.
She said she is running under the Yukon Party banner because of the party’s “fiscal responsibility.”
“They have a balanced budget and that’s something I believe in.”
The Yukon Party, she said, has done a good job managing infrastructure investments and keeping the budget balanced.
“The Yukon Party (government) has some large projects coming up like the continuing-care facility,” she said.
Her decision to run was also about setting an example for her daughter.
There are only two women sitting in the Yukon Party caucus currently – deputy premier Elaine Taylor and Speaker Patti McLeod.
And only Taylor holds a cabinet portfolio.
“I think it’s really important (my daughter) sees women can be in leadership roles and be successful at it,” she said.
“The more women that run politically, the more it sends that message.”
Schneider’s husband works in mining exploration, so she knows firsthand the effect of the past years’ falling mineral prices.
But she is adamant the current government did a good job keeping the territory’s head above water.
“In a time where prices are low, the Yukon Party has maintained the economy to the point we’re not suffering by that mining industry slow-down,” she said.
“It’s a balancing act, what you invest in and don’t invest in.”
On top of her full-time work for the city, Schneider has her own company creating themed dessert tables.
She’ll be facing off against P&M Recycling Depot owner Pat McInroy for the party nomination in Copperbelt North.
“I wasn’t surprised he came out and wanted to represent it,” she said.
The pair knows each other well – they were neighbours in Copper Ridge.
“Between the two of us, the people in Copperbelt North have a really fantastic choice of two people,” she said.
Her candidacy is a personal first.
“This is the first time I’ve gone after something like this,” she said.
“I’m sort of in the background right now at the City and I feel this is a great opportunity to do even more, not just for the city but for the Yukon as a whole.”
The nomination for Copperbelt North closes on July 8, but no ballots will be cast until at least July 29, Yukon Party president Linda Hillier told the News.
Contact Pierre Chauvin at
pierre.chauvin@yukon-news.com