A former Yukon Party MLA is coming out of political retirement to seek the nomination as Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Yukon MP.
Representing the Southern Lakes in the Yukon legislature from 2002 to 2011, Patrick Rouble served as a backbencher during his first term and later as minister of education, the public service commission and energy mines and resources.
In 1992, Rouble arrived in the Yukon. He has worked in sales, construction, engineering and mineral exploration, with much of his career spent in education, in addition to his time in government.
Rouble decided not to seek re-election at the territorial level nearly a decade and a half ago and continued his education at the University of Calgary, where he obtained a doctorate in education. That’s on top of his master's degree in business administration and diplomas in business admin and adult education.
“I wasn't going to rule anything out in the future,” Rouble said.
“I've always been a Conservative supporter, and I'm characterized more as a fiscal Conservative as opposed to a social Conservative.”
His return to politics this time around was for the same reasons he got involved in the first place: to see change and bring a “common-sense approach.”
His latest decision was motivated by Yukoners stopping him in the grocery store to ask him to get back into elected office to act in their best interests.
Rouble spoke with the News by phone on March 11. He is one of two people to express their intent to become the Conservative candidate in the Yukon ahead of the nomination deadline, as far as the News is aware.
As reported by the News, former Yukon MP Ryan Leef has also stepped up.
The local electoral district association has deferred the News’ questions about the nomination process to the Conservatives’ national director of communications, but the News didn’t get a response by press time.
Federal elections have yet to be declared.
Under Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives, Rouble wants to be a louder voice for the territory in Canada’s capital.
“I think that the voice of Yukon is so far away from Ottawa that it's not heard,” he said.
“I think I have a lot to bring to the national table.”
While in territorial government, Rouble said his team worked closely with the federal government to fund projects like the Marsh Lake Community Centre and the Carcross waterfront project.
Rouble currently serves on the board of Skills Canada Yukon and the national board for Skills Compétences Canada.
“I do a lot of work lobbying the federal government and other national funders, sponsors and industry partners to help make more young Canadians aware of meaningful and rewarding careers in trades and technology,” he said.
“With my experience, with the past accomplishments, with my current work that I'm doing, I think it's a natural step for me to step into the federal, national realm.”
His “proven track record” on getting things done and his knowledge of the processes of working through legislation, budgets and departmental channels make him fit for the position.
“I'm aware of many of the issues that are going on, but as soon as I stop on the street and start talking to someone, they're bringing up more and more issues and more and more concerns,” he said.
The Yukon is regarded a swing riding. It went from blue to red in 2015.
With a close race in 2021, Brendan Hanley of the Liberal Party of Canada took the Yukon seat with 6,471 votes. Conservative Barbara Dunlop came in next with 5,096 votes. Lisa Vollans-Leduc of the NDP got 4,354 votes. Independent Jonas Smith, who was booted as the Conservative candidate for his vaccine stance, followed up with 2,639 votes. Lenore Morris of the Green Party received 846 votes, and 142 ballots were rejected.
Rouble’s priority right now is to connect with Yukoners and hear them out.
“I certainly think we need to have a better approach to be better fiscal managers, to respond to the issues that are important to Canadians and to Yukoners, to not see government overreach in practically every area that they've been involved in,” he said.
“When you have the territorial premier on the radio announcing that he needs the federal government to come to the table and help to work on justice, I mean, I hear that as a big red flag.”
Rouble indicated he will listen to Premier Ranj Pillai and take steps to address justice system issues, among other things.
“The challenge is inheriting the situation that's being left,” he said.
“The challenge is the fiscal reality.”
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
