Premier-Designate to Nominate Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

WHITEHORSE – Premier-designate Currie Dixon is pleased to announce he will nominate Whistle Bend North MLA Yvonne Clarke as Speaker of the 36^th Yukon Legislative Assembly.

If elected, Clarke will become the first Filipino Speaker in Canadian parliamentary history. She will be the 31^st speaker in the history of the Yukon Legislative Assembly/Yukon Territorial Council, and the second female Speaker. Current Watson Lake-Ross River-Faro MLA Patti McLeod was the first female Speaker in 2016. Dixon also announced he will appoint McLeod as Deputy Speaker.

Clarke was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the then-riding of Porter Creek Centre in 2021. She served in several critic roles during the 35^th assembly and currently sits on the Steering Committee of Canadian Women Parliamentarians as part of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Association. Before politics, Clarke was a public servant and small business owner. She continues to be involved in Yukon’s Filipino community.

“Yvonne has been an important part of our team since 2021,” said Dixon. “I am honoured to nominate her as the first Filipino Speaker in Canadian history. I know she will do an excellent job as speaker, while serving her constituents in Whistle Bend North.”

“It is a great privilege to take on what is an important role in our democracy – Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly,” said Clarke. “I would like to thank the incoming Premier for choosing me to fulfill this duty. While I take on the job of Speaker, I would like my constituents in Whistle Bend North to know that I will be accessible to help address any issues or concerns they may have.”

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874