Some attendees walk out over 'stump speech' at Association of Yukon Communities meeting

The annual general meeting of the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) saw some people walk out of the Dawson City event over the weekend over what some called a political "stump speech."

Around 150 people, from all levels of federal, territorial, and municipal government, spent three days at the Palace Grande Theatre to hear speeches, presentations, and discuss issues what Yukon municipalities are facing.

On Saturday, one of the keynote speakers was Melissa Lantsman, the deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

"The 'Ottawa-knows-best' machine of how to treat addiction simply just hasn't worked," Lantsman said at one point. "To give up on the dignity of people to watch people squander opportunity to receive treatment is one of the saddest, I think most insane policies."

Lantsman went on to slam Ottawa's policies on gun control, public safety, the carbon tax, and housing.

Her words didn't sit well with many people in the room. Some even left the meeting entirely.

Whitehorse Mayor Laura Cabott told CBC on Monday that the she felt the speech was "overly politically partisan."

"This was something quite different. It really was a campaign stump speech," Cabott said. "It wasn't really tied into what we do here in the Yukon," she said. 

She said the meeting usually consists of ministers talking about what they've done over the years, with the opposition also getting a chance to speak. 

"We were caught off guard," she said. "It didn't resonate well." 

'A lot of people upset'

Keynote speakers included Olympic gold medallist Sami-Jo Small, and best-selling author and Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Kaleb Dahlgren.

Presentations on emergency preparedness and the Yukon's clean energy goals were also on the agenda. 

Liberal Premier Ranj Pillai said in the 15 years he has been attending AYC meetings he's never seen it get so politicized. 

"There's a lot of people upset from what they heard," he said. "A lot of people walking out. Yeah, sadly this morning was a lot more of division."

Kate White, leader of the Yukon NDP called Lantsman's speech "disturbing."

"I have to say that there is a lot to be concerned about if that's where politics in Canada are going," she said.

Dawson City's Mayor Bill Kendrick weighed in saying that the AYC needs to ensure it remains a neutral voice.

Jeanie McLean, Yukon's deputy premier, was not marked down on the agenda to speak but took to the podium to respond to what she heard from Lantsman's speech.

"I find this kind of politics from outside so troubling," McLean said. "These outside politics bring cheap slogans that make it easy to shout over those with whom you disagree."

"They bring political stunts instead of press conferences. And they make enemies out of those who disagree."

Outgoing AYC president Ted Laking acknowledged that some of Saturday's speeches were "coloured by some election stuff" but said he didn't notice anyone's discomfort with it.

"It's too bad to hear that some people felt uncomfortable," Laking said. "The AYC itself does not vet speeches. At the end of the day everyone in this room, and ... the AYC and our membership is here to put the Yukon first and to look at how we can make our community stronger." 

Laking said invitations to the meeting were sent to all three major parties. 

To make things even more interesting for attendees, telecommunication service in Dawson City was cut after a fire impacted a stretch of fibre optic line near Fort Nelson, B.C.

The service lapse which began Friday night, lasted 24 hours and was eventually restored Saturday evening.

Out with the old, in with the new

Earlier this month, Laking announced he wouldn't be running for a second term as AYC president.

On Sunday, Watson Lake councillor, and Deputy Mayor Lauren Hanchar was elected as the new president.

"I'm excited and looking forward to getting to work," said Hanchar.

"I'm from a small town and I want to really make sure our communities aren't forgotten about. A lot of the decision- making for rural Yukon happens in Whitehorse and I just want to make sure that our needs our being looked after as well."

Hanchar said her first order of business is to meet with AYC staff members and community leaders to determine the best path forward in her new role as president.

She'll serve as the association's president for the next two years.

Laking said he plans to stay on the association's board for a while to help Hanchar get comfortable in the role.

He said he plans to spend more time with his family, and focus on his role as a Whitehorse city councillor.

He said there are many rumours floating around as to what he plans to do next but he said at this point he is open to everything.