Latest news with #BrendanHanley
CBC
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Liberal Brendan Hanley grateful to be re-elected MP in Yukon
Liberal Brendan Hanley says he felt relieved, excited, and a bit tired when he learned Yukoners had re-elected him as their MP – this time with more than 50 per cent of the vote – on Monday. "It is an incredible percentage and, and of course that gives me the … feeling of not only gratitude but responsibility," he told CBC's Yukon Morning. "That's a lot of Yukoners that have placed their trust and confidence in me." Hanley said his priorities once he returns to Ottawa will be to develop an economic plan for standing up to the United States, building housing and infrastructure, improving access to primary health care, and building resiliency to climate change. Asked about affordability, Hanley said it's something that would be helped by an economic plan. He acknowledged affordability was something the previous Liberal government he was part of "didn't talk about … or recognize it as, as well as we could have." "We need to find ways to manage an economy so that we can redistribute, redistribute income, look at food prices, look at how we can support the ongoing quest for the housing that we need. These are all interrelated factors." As of 10:00 a.m. YST, it was still too close to say whether the Liberals would form a minority or majority government. Hanley said a majority would make it easier to get things done, but a minority would require collaboration and the "spirit of Canadian unity." "I'm not going to pretend that that will be easy," he said. "But I think we've all heard at the doors that Canadians don't want polarization anymore. Mark Carney did speak to the need for Canadian unity. I heard that reflected in other speeches. And, and this is, I think our challenge is to find ways to work together"
CBC
16-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Yukon federal candidates square off at election forum
Social Sharing Federal election candidates in the Yukon are set to debate issues affecting Yukoners at an election forum Tuesday evening. Hosted by CBC Yukon, the forum runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. YT. Green Party candidate Gabrielle Dupont, Liberal candidate Brendan Hanley, Conservative candidate Ryan Leef, and NDP candidate Katherine McCallum will be participating in the forum. Those four candidates are confirmed to be running for Yukon MP, after People's Party of Canada candidate André Fortin and Rhinoceros Party candidate Jean-Michel Harvey withdrew from the race earlier this month. Yukon federal candidates tee off at election forum Live in 1 hour Dupont is running for federal office for the first time. She previously worked as an architectural draftsperson for mining companies, contractors and governments. This is Hanley's second time running for Yukon MP after winning the seat in the 2021 federal election. He previously served as the territory's chief public health officer during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leef previously served as the Yukon MP from 2011 to 2015, before losing his seat in the 2015 federal election. He's most recently worked as the bylaw manager for the City of Whitehorse. McCallum is new to politics and has spent the past two decades working in the Yukon's theatre and arts community. She currently teaches theatre at Yukon University. You can watch the CBC Yukon forum live on this page starting at 6:30 p.m. YT.
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Government of Canada signs pharmacare agreement with Yukon to improve universal access to free medications
WHITEHORSE, YT, March 20, 2025 /CNW/ - No one should have to choose between paying for prescription drugs and putting food on the table. That's why the Government of Canada is taking action so Canadians can get the medication they need, regardless of their ability to pay. Today, Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley, on behalf of the Honourable Kamal Khera, Canada's Minister of Health, and the Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee, Yukon's Minister of Health and Social Services, announced the signing of a pharmacare agreement to invest up to $9.5 million over four years to provide universal access to contraceptive and diabetes medications for residents of the Yukon. The funding from this agreement will also improve access to diabetes devices and supplies. Through this historic agreement, Yukon residents will receive public coverage for a range of contraceptives and diabetes medications at little to no cost. This will support the reproductive freedom of more than 12,000 Yukoners and make sure that over 3,000 residents with diabetes can access essential medications to reduce their risk of serious health complications and improve their quality of life. Yukon residents can anticipate beginning to receive coverage for these products no later than January 2026. The Government of Canada will continue working with the provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, partners and stakeholders to make sure every Canadian has access to the essential medications and medical devices they need. Quotes 'This national pharmacare agreement represents a significant step in ensuring Yukoners have improved access to the essential medications they need. Today's announcement reflects our shared commitment to building a stronger healthcare system for all Canadians. The Honourable Kamal Khera Minister of Health 'For many Yukoners, paying for their medication means choosing between managing their health condition and making ends meet. This groundbreaking investment is about making contraceptives and diabetes medications accessible for those who need them. This represents a significant step toward building a stronger, more inclusive health care system in the Yukon.' Brendan Hanley Member of Parliament for Yukon 'The cornerstone of the Canadian health care system is that access is based on need, not ability to pay. By ensuring that all Yukoners can access essential diabetes treatments and contraceptives without facing financial barriers, our government is taking a significant step in our efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable health care system. We're proud to join other jurisdictions who have signed on to this agreement, and we will continue working with the Government of Canada to expand access to other medications and medical devices.' Tracy-Anne McPhee Yukon's Minister of Health and Social Services Quick Facts In 2021, Statistics Canada found that one in five adults in Canada did not have the insurance they needed to cover their medication costs. On October 10, 2024, the Pharmacare Act received Royal Assent and immediately came into force. To date, three provinces — Manitoba, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island — have reached a pharmacare agreement with the Government of Canada.
CBC
21-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Liberal Brendan Hanley to run for re-election as Yukon MP
Brendan Hanley has been confirmed as the Liberal candidate for Yukon in the next federal election. He'll be seeking a second term as the territory's only MP. "I believe I've had something to offer to the Yukon," Hanley said on Thursday. "There's still a lot to do and I want to keep going and continue to offer what I think is an effective voice for Yukon." Hanley first won his seat in the 2021 general election. The physician was relatively new to politics at the time, but had developed a significant public profile as the territory's chief public health officer through the first couple of years of the COVID-19 pandemic. He won in 2021 with 33 per cent of the vote, to Conservative Barbara Dunlop's 26 per cent and NDP candidate Lisa Vollans-Leduc's 22 per cent. Independent candidate Jonas Smith and Green candidate Lenore Morris (now a Whitehorse city councillor) finished fourth and fifth, respectively. The territory has been represented by a Liberal for most of the last 25 years, with the only interruption between 2011 and 2015 when Conservative Ryan Leef held the seat. Hanley said if he's re-elected he wants to keep focusing on issues such as housing, health care and climate change. "And now, of course, a whole new problem with the U.S. administration, effectively a hostile administration, that is threatening all kinds of economic upheaval to our country, let alone our very sovereignty as a nation," he said. "This is a new issue for us that is going to require effective, strong advocacy and leadership. And I feel I can be that person." Hanley also said he's excited by what he sees as a "major turnaround" in his party, which is now in the middle of a leadership race to select Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's successor. Hanley was among a group of Liberal MPs publicly calling for Trudeau to step down late last year as the party's popularity seemed to be in freefall. He's since endorsed Mark Carney's bid to lead his party. Carney is widely seen as the front-runner. "This is not an easy time. It's an incredibly unpredictable time. But we still need leaders, we still need a government, we still need laws and legislation. And most importantly, we still need a strong advocate for Yukon," he said.
CBC
19-02-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Federal, Yukon gov'ts give $2.9M for Biathlon Yukon facility in Whitehorse
Social Sharing When Whitehorse hosts the 2026 Arctic Winter Games a little over a year from now, the plan is to have a brand new, $2.9-million facility ready to go for biathletes. The federal and territorial governments on Tuesday announced new funding to build a two-storey facility for Biathlon Yukon. It will replace a trailer and outhouse that have been used for decades at the organization's training site on Grey Mountain. "The kids will be able to go to the bathroom now at –20, indoors," said Bill Curtis, president of Biathlon Yukon. "So this is a huge, huge improvement." Ottawa is chipping in just over $2.2 million for the construction and the Yukon government is providing $736,846. "When we think of infrastructure, most people will think of roads, sewers and water lines. And these are essential," said Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, at the funding announcement. "But recreational infrastructure is equally important. We must have the facilities to support people's ability to gather, to play, and to participate in organized sports." The new building will have meeting rooms, washrooms, showers, a kitchenette, and a secure storage room for the rifles used by athletes. It will also have improved accessibility and better parking. Yukon's Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn said the new facility will help Biathlon Yukon grow as an organization and "allow more children to find joy in the sport." "It is an unusual sport, but is a very Canadian sport. And I think it's something that you should get out and take part in, if you have a choice," Mostyn said. The goal is to have the new building in place by March 2026, when Whitehorse next hosts the Arctic Winter Games. Curtis said it will be a "very tight timeline." "We'll hopefully get construction started as soon as the snow is gone," he said.
