Yukon Party projected to win majority in territorial election

Currie Dixon's Yukon Party is projected to win a majority government in Monday's territorial election, marking the party's return to government after nine years in opposition.

Meantime, Kate White's NDP appear to be on track to be the official opposition after nearly a decade as the third party, while Mike Pemberton's Liberals — who were hoping for a third term in government — are looking at a potential wipeout, as the party held a razor-thin lead in just one riding.

CBC is so far projecting wins for the Yukon Party in 11 of the territory's 21 ridings, with Leader Currie Dixon holding onto his Copperbelt North seat, and longtime MLAs Brad Cathers, Scott Kent, Patti McLeod and Wade Istchenko all holding onto their seats. Yvonne Clarke has won re-election as a Yukon Party MLA, this time in the new riding of Whistle Bend North.

The party has also picked up former Liberal premier Ranj Pillai's seat in Porter Creek South, where newcomer Adam Gerle is projected to win, and the Whitehorse West riding, where Laura Lang defeated current Liberal Leader Mike Pemberton.

Ted Laking and Doris Anderson are also projected to win seats for the Yukon Party in Porter Creek Centre and Porter Creek North, respectively, and Tyler Porter in the new Southern Lakes riding.

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Kate White is projected to hold onto her Takhini riding, while the party was also projected to pick up at least three seats held by Liberals in the last government: Klondike, where former Liberal premier Sandy Silver was the longtime MLA, as well as Mountainview and Riverdale South, where former Liberal cabinet ministers Jeanie McLean and Tracy-Anne McPhee held seats since 2016. Brett McDonald is projected to win Klondike for the NDP, Linda Moen in Mountainview, and Justin Ziegler in Riverdale South.

Pemberton's Liberals, are trailing in third place in all but two ridings where polls have reported. Liberal Debra-Leigh Reti is holding a narrow lead in Vuntut Gwichin, while Jeremy Harper, the only Liberal seeking re-election this time, is trailing in second in Mayo-Tatchun, where The Yukon Party's Cory Bellmore was holding a narrow lead. Harper was Speaker in the last legislative assembly.

Turnout in the election was down significantly from the last vote in 2021. According to unofficial numbers from Elections Yukon on Monday night, just 53 per cent of registered electors cast a ballot. That's down from 65 per cent in 2021 and 76 per cent in 2016.

CBC's election special will stream live, starting at 7:30 p.m. YT, on CBC North's website, YouTube, CBC Gem, FAST channel and local television channels.

WATCH | CBC North's live Yukon election special :

Yukon Votes: Election Night 2025

LIVE

Started 4 hours ago

Live election night special from CBC North, featuring full, up-to-the-minute results and analysis.

Some electoral districts have changed in this election, with new ones created in Whitehorse's growing Whistle Bend neighbourhood and others having their boundaries redrawn to include or exclude certain communities or areas. There are now 21 electoral districts in the territory; in the 2021 election, there were 19.

All of CBC North's coverage of the Yukon territorial election can be found here.