Yukon Party Premier Currie Dixon appoints cabinet ministers, who were sworn in Nov. 22
Premier Currie Dixon was officially sworn into Yukon government office before naming three incumbent MLAs, who formerly served as ministers and critics, as well as five new faces, to his cabinet.
Many Yukoners will be familiar with some of the cabinet ministers named to major files. The cabinet, which is chaired by the premier, consists of the senior decision-makers in government and oversees major policy decisions, orders in council and day-to-day operations of government.
Dixon and his Yukon government cabinet were officially sworn into office during a public ceremony held at the Yukon Arts Centre on the afternoon of Nov. 22. Nine out of 14 Yukon Party MLAs were given cabinet positions, including Dixon. It appears that the departments haven’t changed names since the previous Liberal administration.
Brad Cathers, former health critic for the Official Opposition and Yukon Party health minister, will be minister of Health and Social Services.
Scott Kent, who was the Yukon Party’s most recent education critic and is a past education minister, has been appointed minister of Education and minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation.
Ted Laking, who recently sat on Whitehorse city council before pivoting to federal then territorial politics, will be in charge of Energy, Mines and Resources as well as minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy Corporation.
Laura Lang, who was a housing corp director, has assumed the titles of minister of Justice and minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate, the Women and Gender Equity Directorate and the Worker’s Safety and Compensation Board.
Jen Gehmair, who was assistant deputy minister of social services under the Liberals, will get ministerial portfolios in Economic Development, the Public Service Commission and Tourism and Culture. She will also be minister responsible for the Yukon Liquor Corporation.
Cory Bellmore is listed as Community Services minister and minister responsible for the Yukon Lottery Commission.
Linda Benoit will oversee the Highways and Public Works department.
Wade Istchenko, an incumbent MLA and critic on the environment, will be minister of Environment. He previously served as Yukon Party environment minister.
In addition to his role as premier, Dixon is taking on the duties of minister of Finance and the Executive Council Office.
The release issued Nov. 22 doesn’t note a deputy premier.
Dixon previously announced his intention to nominate Yvonne Clarke for Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, which the party said will mark the first Filipino Speaker in Canadian parliamentary history.
Dixon recently named Danny Macdonald as his chief of staff in cabinet.
Dixon also previously announced his transition team: former Yukon Hospital Corporation chief executive officer Jason Bilsky, former Alberta deputy minister of finance Katherine White and Yukon Party vice-president Eric Schroff.
The six Official Opposition Yukon NDP MLAs and the sole Yukon Liberal Party member, along with the 14 Yukon Party MLAs, were sworn in as members of the legislative assembly during separate ceremonies held for each party earlier in the week.
Contact Dana Hatherly at [email protected]
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