Amid a conflict over budget allocations, the speaker of the Yukon legislature, who also acts as chair of the members' services board (MSB), is asserting independence and neutrality in the matter.
In an open letter published along with other MSB correspondence, Yukon Liberal Party MLA for Mayo-Tatchun Jeremy Harper, who is the speaker, says that despite what went out in correspondence that he signed as chair of the board, he is not concerned with political interference in the budget issue. The correspondence bearing his signature was developed by the committee he chairs, he explained in a Jan. 2 open letter. As chair, he has to convey the committee’s decisions and sign its correspondence, but states that he doesn’t provide insight or direction on the contents.
The members' services board that Harper chairs is a board with representation from all sitting parties in the legislature. The MSB handles financial and administrative policy affecting the legislative assembly. The board was in the news in late December 2024 and early January 2025 following the release of correspondence to and from the board related to changes to proposed budgets for arms-length organizations that draw their funding through the legislature.
The organizations expressing concern are: Elections Yukon, the Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office and the office of the Yukon Ombudsman, Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner.
Correspondence from these groups made public through the MSB expressed concern about budget shortfalls affecting their capacity. Some called the budget changes political interference.
The MSB reviews budgets for these organizations prior to their approval through the legislature, but in this case the budget recommendations were altered. According to the correspondence, the changes were made by the Management Board, a Yukon government decision-making body that handles major policy and budget allocations, and its associated administrative secretariat.
In his Jan. 2 letter, Harper states that as chair of the MSB, he only votes on resolutions when required to break a tie and only to maintain status quo. He says he takes no position on issues that come before him in his capacity as either legislature speaker or MSB chair.
The MSB is made up of Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon, Yukon Party MLA Brad Cathers, Yukon NDP leader Kate White, Liberal MLA Richard Mostyn and Harper as chair.
In his letter, Harper explains that MSB meetings are generally held in confidence, with closed meetings so the operations of independent offices can be decided and examined in a forum that isn’t subject to outside influence.
“The decision to take the meetings out of camera and publish the letter to the Minister of Finance was directed by Members’ Services Board, using the balance of power held by the official opposition and third party,” Harper writes.
“I am compelled to clarify my role as Chair of Members’ Services Board given the recent media coverage and comments made by some Members of the Legislative Assembly about the purpose and intention of the letter that carries my signature.”
“I am troubled by the political nature of these actions and I am concerned that the decisions being made by members are for political gain and are not respecting the best interests of the offices we are responsible for.”
In the letter, he urges MSB members to respect the positions they hold.
“I will continue to remain fair and neutral while executing my duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Yukon Legislative Assembly,” Harper writes.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
