Yukon.

• Author: Kolody, Linda
• Position: Legislative Reports

40th Anniversary of Party Politics

On December 13, Speaker Nils Clarke hosted a celebration of the 40th anniversary of territorial party politics in Yukon. Through a post on the Legislative Assembly's Facebook page, Speaker Clarke had issued an invitation to the event to all Yukoners. The post noted, "The move to party politics was an important step in Yukon's evolution toward greater political autonomy and responsible government". As well, it observed, "The Assembly that gathered on December 13, 1978 also included the first two First Nations candidates elected to the Legislative Assembly."

The celebration, held in the lobby of the Yukon government administration building (the building in which the Legislative Assembly Chamber is situated) marked the anniversary of the first meeting of the 24th Yukon Legislative Assembly. Although the Territorial Council (as it was then known) has been a fully elected body since 1909, it was not until the November 20, 1978 general election that candidates officially ran under party banners and the resultant Legislative Assembly organized its proceedings along party lines.

Speaker Clarke, former Commissioner Doug Bell, Premier Sandy Silver, former Clerk Patrick Michael, Official Opposition MLA and former Commissioner Geraldine Van Bibber, and Third Party Leader Liz Hanson, delivered remarks. Among the many current and former MLAs attending the event were former Premiers Dennis Fentie, Pat Duncan--who had just been appointed Yukon's senator the previous day--and Piers Macdonald. Former Speakers Patti McLeod (a current MLA), Dave Laxton, Ted Staffen, Robert Bruce, and Sam Johnston, the first First Nations Speaker of a Legislative Assembly in Canada, were also in attendance. Also present were Yukon Commissioner Angelique Bernard, and former commisioners lone Christensen (the Commissioner at the time of the introduction of party politics), Ken McKinnon and Jack Cable. Alice McGuire, one of the first two First Nations MLAs, also attended the function (Grafton Njootli had passed away). Current Clerk Floyd McCormick, and former Sergeant-at-Arms Rudy Couture, were also present.

A December 28 article in the Whitehorse Star noted, "That celebration was at the heart of a gathering that featured a who's who of Yukon Politics.... It truly was a family affair, with those who played pivotal roles since the introduction of party politics into the Yukon rubbing elbows with current MLAs, officials and civil servants."

Fall...