One of the best rainy-afternoon teas I have ever had was with someone I had never met before
There’s no such thing as a thick skin … you have to know why you’re there, you have to know what you’re trying to accomplish, and you have to know that you’re going to fail in some respects
Audrey McLaughlin
I didn’t quite know how to approach a woman of Audrey McLaughlin’s stature, but I felt the fear and did it anyway. Immediately I discovered that I was in the presence of a welcoming, personable and humble person who’s also an authentic and gracious conversationalist.
She invited me into her comfortable, bright and warmly-eclectic downtown Whitehorse home, where we sat among local and First Nations art, antiques, a woodstove, an Inuit muskox carving, a gorgeous Syrian Damascus lamp, a life-size carving of a woman from Ghana, a Buddha statue, flowers, beautiful woodwork and tasteful, rich colours.
For those new to Canada or the Yukon, or too young to remember McLaughlin’s political contributions of the 1980s and 90s, she was the first woman to lead a Canadian federal political party, in Ottawa (NDP from 1989 to 1995), and the first to hail from one of our three northern territories. She represented the Yukon as our MP for 10 impressive years (1987 to 1997).
If that isn’t enough to accomplish, McLaughlin published a book in 1992 while she was still in office, A Woman’s Place: My Life and Politics. She also volunteered abroad in several countries including helping women to run in democratic elections, represented the Government of the Yukon on Circumpolar Affairs, sat on the Queen’s Privy Council and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Last year, she was a recipient of the commemorative Yukon 125 Medal, for Yukoners embodying the values of leadership, reconciliation and who were contributing significantly to the well-being of the territory.
Audrey McLaughlin hails from small-town Ontario and studied social work, as a young woman, where she practised in Toronto. In 1979, she moved to the Yukon sight-unseen, in her early 40s, chasing adventure and a fresh start. She has clearly given her heart and soul to the Yukon ever since.
What follows is a summary of some of the many topics Audrey and I covered in our afternoon together.
I asked: What’s new in your world? What have you been up to lately, since retiring at 80, that you are happiest doing?
I think [it’s] spending time with my family and friends … I read a lot, and I’ve been doing a lot of personal travel. My latest trip was this summer, to Greenland and Iceland. My favourite place, though, is the Yukon.
What words describe your best qualities?
I think I’m very loyal, and I try to be kind. Other than that, I have no idea. I think these are things that other people define … not yourself. It’s how you treat other people that counts; not how you think you do.
Who have your role models been, political or otherwise?
Stephen Lewis and other NDP-elected people I knew—people of principle and commitment.
Were you influenced by your mother’s involvement on town council in the 1950s? And do you think it shaped your belief in yourself to do similar things in your life?
I think everything that happens to us, shapes us. My mother was many things … She was also an artist and wrote for a daily newspaper. Being on the council didn’t seem like a big deal when I was growing up, maybe because it was a “small town”; maybe because I was so young. My father was very supportive of her, so it didn’t seem unusual to me. My parents weren’t political, that’s for sure.
What do you remember fondly about your time as a social worker?
I was very lucky to work in the early 70s, at a time in Toronto when community social work was a thing. It was very satisfying, and it’s really where I got a sense of politics. I saw that some of the criticisms that society levelled at people could have been remedied by better policies, and that’s why I got involved with the NDP.
When you arrived in the Yukon from Ontario in 1979, what were the first things that struck you about the place?
The beauty of the Yukon is what really led me to come here. Of course it was much smaller then, so it was much easier to get to know people and integrate into the community.
What’s something that made the people of the Yukon unique, years ago, and still applies today?
I would say certainly, in the early days, what was special was that many people came up from elsewhere, so your circle of friends tended to become your family.
Coming from Toronto, I had had no education about First Nations. So that was a big part of my learning process and was pretty special to me. I really found that an exciting aspect of the Yukon—still do—and also the relationship between First Nations and non-First Nations.
What changes in Whitehorse, over the years, have had the most impact on you?
Well, I guess the increased population has a big impact on everybody … more crime, more drugs, more traffic. Some people would say more choices, because when I came here there were limited stores, limited places to go. There was no road to Skagway then.
The settlement of land claims, of course, is also a huge change. I think First Nations development corporations have generally been very positive.
What ultimately convinced you to jump into the political fray?
When I decided to go for election in the Yukon, community social work was far behind me. I had been involved in the NDP party here, and many people urged me to run and provided support.
Was there an issue or policy that fanned the flames of your decision to run for office?
My support for land claims, and a need to ensure greater equality in social and economic policies.
I got a job quite early on, researching legislation. At that time, there was very little health-and-social-service legislation here.
What did you enjoy the most about your time in Federal politics?
I think the most enjoyable was being able to represent the Yukon. I enjoyed going to the communities and talking to people about their issues and what was going on. I was in office when land claims legislation came through.
What were you not so crazy about?
In any job, you have good days and bad days. I didn’t enjoy the result of the ’95 election at all, when the NDP lost a number of seats. We lost some very, very good people in that election. That was absolutely the hardest because, no matter what anyone says, you feel responsible for the party.
What’s the most-notable change in the political world, in general, that you’ve seen since you were in office?
The vitriol; the personal attacks. I was certainly never personally attacked by the opposition parties. They would attack your policy in Question Period; they would attack what you were saying … but that’s a whole different thing. Now, social media has made it much easier for politicians of all parties to face more personal and serious threats. Women especially: the more power that women get, the more they are subject to intimidation.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering a career in politics—especially women?
I would definitely encourage women to run. I would say you have to be known in the community, be involved and get to know people. I think you have to have a sense of humour. You’re going to be criticized, there’s no getting around it.
There’s no such thing as a thick skin … you have to know why you’re there, you have to know what you’re trying to accomplish, and you have to know that you’re going to fail in some respects. I don’t think you have to be really strong, necessarily, but you have to have friends, colleagues and families who are a strong support system.
What’s a philosophy that you live by?
I’ve never been a fearful person. One thing I learned in politics was to never worry about what might happen, because there’s always lots to worry about what’s happening right now!
What is the most-important legacy that you’d like to leave the Yukon?
That’s for other people to decide, not me … I’m not into legacies. But I think I would like to be remembered for being a good person, and trying to do the best I could.
What’s next for Audrey McLaughlin?
Nothing big at the moment, maybe just a trip to Vancouver to visit friends. If I decide to do more travelling abroad, it would probably be some place I’ve been before—perhaps Morocco—to visit some friends and people I worked with there.
Everyone has their own type of “gold” that they bring to the world … What is yours?
I gave this question a lot of thought, but I have no idea what that would be … There’s really nothing unique about me; I’m actually pretty ordinary!
Audrey McLaughlin may be too humble to realize the “gold of a different kind” that she embodies. But if you ever get the chance to chat with her, you’ll immediately see the sparkle. The Yukon has been fortunate to have this woman of principle and commitment in our community for the past 46 years, not to mention her successes representing us in Ottawa. One thing she has certainly lived by, over the years, is her belief that “politics matter.”
Our Audrey, who is just as fearless, personable and sharp as ever, turns 89 on November 7. I invite all Yukoners to join me in wishing her the happiest of birthdays.
Note: Audrey’s book, A Woman’s Place: My Life and Politics, is a highly-recommended read. It can be found on Amazon or can be ordered by Mac’s Fireweed Books. Also available at public libraries across the Yukon.
