Members of the Yukon Liberal Party have chosen their next leader and the territory’s next premier: businessman Mike Pemberton.
“We are here tonight as part of a proud, and strong Liberal movement that is rooted in community. Compassion. And the belief that we can work together to build a brighter future for all Yukoners,” Pemberton said.
Pemberton narrowly won by 14 votes. Out of a total of 873 votes, Pemberton received 442, while fellow candidate Doris Bill received 429.
Mike Pemberton is 62. A father of four, and first came to the Yukon in 1987. Originally from Nova Scotia he will be the third consecutive Yukon premier from that province.
Pemberton has been involved with the federal and territorial Liberals for more than 20 years. He was the spokesperson for Ranj Pillai’s campaign when the current premier and party leader ran uncontested for the Yukon Liberal Party leadership.
He also previously owned a furniture store in downtown Whitehorse. He’s served on the Whitehorse and Yukon chambers of commerce, the Yukon Development Corporation and the board of Yukon Energy.
Pemberton is now premier-designate until a swearing-in ceremony.
Once sworn in, Pemberton will serve as the territory’s 11th premier until the next general election, which must happen before November 3.
Darrell Pasloski was the Yukon party leader most recently chosen who was not already a sitting member of the assembly. In 2011, he became Yukon Party leader and premier-designate on May 29.
On June 7, 2011, there was an order-in-council to authorize the legislative assembly to start paying Pasloski a premier’s salary even though he wasn’t an MLA. On June 11, 2011, he was officially sworn in under a commission’s order.
Ahead of the vote, the Office of the Commissioner of Yukon said Thursday that they were not yet aware of when a swearing-in would happen for the winner of this race.