Patti McLeod -
A strong advocate for the needs of rural Yukon, Patti McLeod first set foot in Watsons Lake in 1977 and has lived, worked, and given back to the community since. She worked in mining administration for 36 years for both the territorial and federal governments. She has also spent time with the Watson Lake Chamber of Commerce during her career.
While raising two children in the community, she has served on Watson Lake Town Council for one term and has been a part of numerous boards and committees. Those include the Watson Lake Yukon College Campus Board, Yukon Child Care Services Board, Labour Standards Appeal Board, and Southeast Yukon Tax Assessment Appeal Board.
McLeod has volunteered across many facets of Watson Lake. She helped with Communities in Bloom to help the town gain national recognition. She was the co-founder of the Watson Lake Daycare Society and served as project coordinator for the community's first daycare centre. She has also served with the Daycare Society for a number of years. Her time has also gone to the Community Club, Chamber of Commerce, and local softball.
McLeod was first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2016 and 2021. During her time in office, she served as Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committee of the Whole from 2011 to 2016. In May 2016, she was elected as the 24th Speaker of the Yukon Territorial Council/Yukon Legislative Assembly. She made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
In December 2016, McLeod was appointed Official Opposition critic for Health and Social Services, the Women's Directorate, and the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board. In July 2020, she assumed the additional critic roles for Housing and Land Development and the French Language Services Directorate. She has also served on various legislative committees. In the 35th Legislative Assembly, she served as the critic for Community Services and the Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board.
Photo Credit: Crystal Schick Photography.
About Watson Lake-Ross River-Faro
Watson Lake-Ross River-Faro includes the communities of Watson Lake, Faro, and Ross River (previously part of the Pelly-Nisutlin electoral district), Upper Liard, Swift River, and Rancheria. They are linked by the Robert Campbell Highway. Watson Lake-Ross River-Faro border the ridings of Mayo-Tatchun, Lake Laberge, and Southern Lakes. It is the 2nd largest electoral district at 98,861 km2.
