Yukon's Tory MP-elect visits Ottawa

Yukon's newly-elected Conservative member of Parliamentwas learning the ropes in Ottawa late lastweek, before he and other MPs begin their first session next month.

Leef spent his first day on Parliament Hill on Friday, almost two weeks after he defeated longtime Liberal MP Larry Bagnellin a close federal election race.

The 37-year-old political rookie said he went on a tour of the buildings on Parliament Hill, and officials briefed him on setting up and budgeting his offices in Ottawa and Whitehorse.

"When you look at the buildings, there's just a rich, rich, rich history here," Leef told CBC News.

"It really makes you feel like you're part of something greater when you're able to walk along Parliament Hill and see buildings that have been standing for hundreds of years, and it's so neat be part of it now."

Leef said he is also excited to be part of a wave of new MPs, including many younger members from Quebec and other areas.

"There's 111 new members of Parliament; there's a tremendous buzz about the youthful demographics of it," he said.

Parliament will resume on June 2 to elect a new Speaker. Gov. Gen. David Johnston will deliver the Speech from the Throne the next day.

Leef secured 5,422 votes compared to 5,290 for Bagnell in the May 2 election a difference of just 0.82 per cent, or 132 votes, between them.

Bagnell spent last weekcleaning out his Ottawa officeand attending some final meetings before he returns to Whitehorse.

Chiefs seek introductory meeting

Meanwhile, Yukon First Nation leaders say they want to meet Leef and bring him up to speed on issues they feel are important.

Grand Chief Ruth Massie of the Council of Yukon First Nations said she and other chiefs have always had to educate new politicians about aboriginal issues after every election.

"You're on this continual education process," Massie said.

"As long as land claim and self-government agreements have been in the Yukon, it's absolutely amazing how many people don't know anything about our agreements."

With a majority Conservative government, and the possibility of a new Indian and northern affairs minister, Massie said she worries that First Nation issues could be pushed aside.

"Are First Nation issues even on their agenda, you know?" she said. "It's up to us to give them the background information and educate them on where things are at for us."

Leef did not get to meet all Yukon chiefs during his election campaign because many were not in their communities when he made his campaign stops, Massie said.

Massie said she and other chiefs will ask Leef to meet with them when he returns to Yukon from Ottawa.

"We will extend an invitation for him to come and talk to our leaders and, of course, meet them all," she said.