Yukon.

• Author: Kolody, Linda
• Position: New Democratic Party (Yukon Territory

On December 17th, the 2009 Fall Sitting of the First Session of the 32nd Legislative Assembly adjourned. The 28-day sitting had convened on October 29th. The Sitting concluded with Assent being given in the Chamber by the Commissioner of Yukon, Geraldine Van Bibber.

In the Fall Sitting, a total of 9 bills (all Government bills) were granted Assent by Commissioner Van Bibber:

* Bill No. 16, Fourth Appropriation Act, 2008-09

* Bill No. 17, Second Appropriation Act, 2009-10

* Bill No. 73, Act to Amend the Registered Nurses Profession Act

* Bill No. 75, Second Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009

* Bill No. 76, Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act

* Bill No. 77, Act to Amend the Public Health and Safety Act

* Bill No. 78, Act to Amend the Elections Act

* Bill No. 79, Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act

* Bill No. 80, Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Health Act

Party Standings

During the Fall of 2009, the Yukon Party Government was temporarily in a minority position. On August 28, 2009, Brad Cathers, Member for Lake Laberge, resigned from Cabinet and left the Yukon Party caucus to sit as an Independent member, effectively placing the Government in a minority situation (the 18 member House comprised: 9 Yukon Party MLAs, 5 Liberal Party MLAs, 2 NDP MLAs, and 2 Independents, including Mr. Cathers). Mr. Cathers, who had been Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, and the Government House Leader, indicated that he had a disagreement with the Premier, but hoped to rejoin caucus under different leadership.

On October 22, 2009, one week before the 2009 Fall Sitting began, John Edzerza, Member for McIntyre-Takhini, joined the Yukon Party caucus as a backbencher, restoring the Government's majority status. Mr. Edzerza, who had been elected in the October 2006 general election as an NDP member, left that caucus to sit as an Independent member on January 26, 2009. Mr. Edzerza had first been elected to the Legislative Assembly under the Yukon Party banner in the November 2002 general election, and had then resigned as a Minister and left that caucus to sit as an Independent, in August 2006.

Current standings in the Yukon Legislative Assembly are 10 Yukon Party MLAs, 5 Liberals, 2 New Democrats and 1 Independent member.

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