The Yukon’s opposition parties are speaking out in a united front after Minister John Streicker’s home was recently targeted by vandalism.
The Official Opposition Yukon Party and the Yukon NDP Caucus issued a statement on May 13 to “unequivocally denounce the actions” taken at the governing Yukon Liberal Party minister’s house.
“These acts have no place in Yukon politics or the Yukon,” reads the joint statement.
“Politicians are in the public eye and under intense scrutiny, but they should never be subject to personal attacks involving their families or their place of residence. Canada and the Yukon pride themselves on being a respectful democracy and what happened on the weekend was targeted, wrong, and a dark moment for all of us.”
Along with a May 12 statement from Premier Ranj Pillai condemning when he called “political violence”, photos provided by the premier’s office showed spray-painted messages on Streicker’s property involving COVID-19-related content as well as profanity and the minister and his wife’s names.
“John F U forever,” reads one of the messages in a photo.
“Masks”, “vax” and “CEMA”, an acronym for the law behind emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, also appear to have been left behind in black spray paint.
Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon said he was saddened to find out what happened at Streicker’s home.
“There is no way a disagreement over government policy should have been turned into the personal manner it was,” he said in the statement. “The thoughts of my Yukon Party Caucus colleagues and I are with John and Susan as they deal with this unfortunate incident.”
Yukon NDP Leader Kate White also indicated her caucus was saddened to hear that Streicker and his wife were “personally threatened” at their house.
“Targeting elected officials in such a personal, cowardly way has no place in the Yukon. Our thoughts are with John and Susan,” she said. “There are ways to voice your disagreement, but violence is never the answer.”
Yukon RCMP communications confirmed by email on May 13 that Whitehorse RCMP is investigating “an incident” but declined to share additional information at this time.
READ MORE: Premier calls out ‘political violence’ after Yukon minister’s home targeted
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com