Optimism Springs in the Yukon, but…

While Yukoners are feeling better about the economy of the Territory, they are not giving all the credit to the Yukon Party.  In a recent poll conducted by DataPath Systems, only 13% of Yukoners rated the Yukon economy in critical condition, if the economy were getting a health check-up today.  “This compares to 33% in 2004 and 26% in 2003 and shows that fewer Yukoners are deeply concerned about the economy as we have seen in previous years.” Commented Donna Larsen, Partner of DataPath Systems.  Nearly half (47%) of Yukoners feel the economy is either Stable or Healthy, up from 24% in 2004 and 32% in 2003.

 This is not the only indicator of Yukoners’ changing perception of the economy.  In 2003 54% of Yukoners felt either the economy or unemployment were the number one issues facing the Territory.  This increased to 68% in 2004, and has now dropped to 42%. 

But is that renewed optimism in the economy reflected on the Yukon Party?  Not directly.  “This year we saw a significant increase in the percentage of Yukoners who felt that poor government was the number one issue in the Territory.  This included comments about not trusting the government, and poor management.” added Larsen.  And while satisfaction with the Yukon Party is up slightly from 2004, it is not at the same high “honeymoon” levels seen in 2003.  This year 21% rated the Yukon Party as a 4 or 5 on a scale from 1 to 5, up from 17% in the winter of 2004, and down from 27% in 2003.  

At the same time, satisfaction with the NDP has increased slightly.  “If the election were held today, it would be a horse-race between the NDP and the Yukon Party.” says Larsen.  Among decided voters, 31% would vote for the Yukon Party while 33% would vote NDP.  The Liberal Party trails at 23%, with 13% opting for yet another Party they hope to see a candidate run for. 

One very important factor in this is the difference between Whitehorse attitudes and rural Yukon attitudes.  In Whitehorse only 27% would be voting for the Yukon Party, while 33% would vote NDP and 25% would vote Liberal.  Since Whitehorse accounts for the greatest number of seats in the Legislative Assembly those slight differences at the Territorial level can make a significant difference in the number of members from each party.  “The Yukon Party is doing poorly among some important key groups” Larsen added. “Among government employees in particular – only 23% of government employees would plan to vote for the Yukon Party, while 44% would be voting NDP and 24% would vote Liberal.  This critical voting block can carry many of the major ridings in Whitehorse.  Within government employees, it is the women who are most likely supporting the NDP rather than the Yukon Party.”

The survey was conducted by DataPath Systems; an independent Yukon-based market research company. Telephone surveys were conducted with 150 Whitehorse residents and 150 non-Whitehorse residents in January and February 2005. The data is weighted to accurately represent Yukoners based on the community they live in, their age and gender. Percentages are statistically valid to +/- 5.5%, 19 times out of 20 (95% confidence). This was a non-commissioned study, paid for by DataPath Systems.