Premier Ranj Pillai has denounced what he called “total political violence” against one of his Yukon Liberal Party ministers after John Streicker’s home was allegedly targeted by vandalization.
“Somebody went to his house and completely vandalized his house, spray painted his house,” Pillai told the Association of Yukon Communities conference held this past weekend in Dawson City.
"That's not how we operate.”
Photos put out by the premier’s office on May 12 show messages like “masks”, “vax” and “CEMA”, an acronym for the law behind emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as profanity and the minister and his wife’s names in black spray paint at their home.
“John F U forever,” reads one of the messages in a photo.
Pillai mentioned Streicker left the multi-day conference in Dawson City after learning that his home had been vandalized. Pillai indicated the minister and his wife are shaken up.
A statement from the premier on May 12 lays out his stance on “violence against Yukon politicians.”
Pillai noted "an increase in violence against politicians, members of their family, and their homes and offices” across Canada, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While political protest and free speech are important tenants of our democracy, when political speech turns threatening, defaces or destroys property, makes someone feel unsafe in their home, or threatens an individual and their family's personal safety, we must join as a society to condemn such acts,” Pillai said.
“This weekend, I was troubled to learn that Minister John Streicker is the latest victim of such violence. His home was vandalized with profanity, by-name threats to him and his wife, and political statements related to government decisions that kept Yukoners safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Streicker is currently minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and minister of Tourism and Culture. He is responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and the Yukon Energy Corporation as well as the French Language Services Directorate.
Pillai had a message for the “individual or individuals who carried out these attacks.”
“However strong your disagreement with the decisions of the Yukon government, the way you chose to express yourself is disappointing and unacceptable. As a Yukoner, you should be above this, relying on a healthy debate of issues to get your points across, not violence and intimidation,” he said.
The incident has been reported to the RCMP and Streicker and his wife are cooperating with police, per the statement.
The premier’s statement indicates the incident won’t stop Streicker from representing Yukoners and being a cabinet member.
“I want to thank Minister Streicker for his continued service to Yukoners and once again state my disgust with the way the individuals responsible for this violence chose to conduct themselves,” Pillai said in the statement.
In his speech at the conference, Pillai contrasted the incident at Streicker's house with how the Yukon legislature functions despite political differences.
“It's really about just all of us as Yukoners working together,” he said.
Pillai noted that “no matter what goes on in the legislative assembly” or when times get tough in the house, he can continue to talk with Yukon NDP Leader Kate White or text Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon and have a laugh across the floor of the legislature.
“I actually am texting him and he's texting me back. And I think that that is special. And I don't think that's what we're seeing throughout this country,” Pillai said.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com