List of premiers of Yukon

The Canadian territory of Yukon has had a responsible government since 1978. In the 19th century, Yukon was a segment of the Hudson's Bay Company-administered North-Western Territory and then the Canadian-administered Northwest Territories. The territory only obtained a recognizable local government in 1895 when it became a separate district of the Northwest Territories.[1] In 1898, Yukon was made a separate territory with its own commissioner and appointed Territorial Council.[2] Prior to the creation of the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 1978, the Territorial Council had a largely advisory role with no political parties or government leader. Instead, powers were invested in the governing Commissioner appointed by the federal government.[3]

Yukon has had nine premiers since 1978, of which five were from the Yukon Party and its predecessor the Yukon Progressive Conservative Party, two were from the Yukon Liberal Party, and two were from the Yukon New Democratic Party. Yukon is the only province or territory in Canada that has never had a native-born premier. The Government of Yukon does not publish an official list of premiers. Listed here are the terms of serve as provided by the Parliament of Canada.[4]

Premiers of Yukon

  Yukon Liberal Party   Yukon New Democratic Party   Yukon Progressive Conservative Party   Yukon Party

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death) 		Term of office Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party Riding Ref.

Government Leaders of Yukon

1
Chris Pearson
(1931–2014) 		20 November
1978 		22 March
1985 		1978 election (24th Leg.)⁠

1982 election (25th Leg.)

Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1978) 		MLA for Riverdale North
2
Willard Phelps
(b. 1941) 		23 March
1985 		28 May
1985 		Appointment (25th Leg.) Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1985) 		Did not hold a seat in legislature
3
Tony Penikett
(b. 1945) 		29 May
1985 		6 November
1992 		1985 election (26th Leg.)⁠

1989 election (27th Leg.)

New Democratic
(Ldr. 1981) 		MLA for Whitehorse West
4
John Ostashek
(1936–2007) 		7 November
1992 		18 October
1996 		1992 election (28th Leg.) Yukon Party
(Ldr. 1991) 		MLA for Porter Creek North

Premiers of Yukon

5
Piers McDonald
(b. 1955) 		19 October
1996 		5 May
2000 		1996 election (29th Leg.) New Democratic
(Ldr. 1995) 		MLA for McIntyre-Takhini
6
Pat Duncan
(b. 1960) 		6 May
2000 		30 November
2002 		2000 election (30th Leg.) Liberal
(Ldr. 1998) 		MLA for Porter Creek South
7
Dennis Fentie
(1950–2019) 		30 November
2002 		10 June
2011 		2002 election (31st Leg.)⁠

2006 election (32nd Leg.)

Yukon Party
(Ldr. 2002) 		MLA for Watson Lake
8
Darrell Pasloski
(b. 1960) 		11 June
2011 		3 December
2016 		Appointment (32nd Leg.)⁠

2011 election (33rd Leg.)

Yukon Party
(Ldr. 2011) 		MLA for Mountainview
9
Sandy Silver
(b. 1969) 		3 December
2016 		14 January
2023 		2016 election (34th Leg.)⁠

2021 election (35th Leg.)

Liberal
(Ldr. 2012) 		MLA for Klondike
10
Ranj Pillai
(b. 1974) 		14 January
2023 		incumbent Appointment (35th Leg.) Liberal
(Ldr. 2023) 		MLA for Porter Creek South


See also

Footnotes

Notes

  1. ^ Coates 1988, p. 74
  2. ^ Coates 1988, p. 103
  3. ^ "Territorial Battles: Yukon Elections, 1978-2006". CBC. November 22, 1978. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  4. ^ "Territory File - Premiers - Yukon". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2012.

References