Whitehorse, YT – Mike Pemberton was sworn in Friday as Yukon’s 11th premier and pledges to hit the ground running as the territory heads toward a fall election.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony at the Jim Smith Building, Pemberton said he’s “a little nervous” but feeling good and “ready to go to work.”
Pemberton said his top priorities include finalizing a draft of new mining legislation and moving forward with establishing a new Health Authority ahead of the territorial election.
“This government right now is not in caretaker mode,” said Pemberton. “We have some critical pieces of work that we plan to finish before there’s a writ dropped in this territory.”
His swearing-in comes one week after narrowly winning the Yukon Liberal leadership, defeating former Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Doris Bill by just 13 votes — 442 to 429. He replaces former Premier Ranj Pillai who will not be running for re-election.
The Yukon Liberals must face voters no later than Nov. 3. Pemberton confirmed he will run in Whitehorse West.
