New Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton sworn in, says there’s work to do before election

By Canadian Press on June 27, 2025.

WHITEHORSE — Yukon’s 11th premier has been sworn in on the promise to get important work done before the next election that must be called within months.

Mike Pemberton told a crowd after the ceremony in Whitehorse that he wants to set out a new framework for mineral legislation in partnership with First Nations, and the work needs to continue “to clean up the mess at Eagle Gold” to protect the environment.

Thousands of tonnes of cyanide-contaminated ore spilled at the mine last year, and Pemberton says future generations can’t be left to pay the price of that clean up.

Pemberton is not an elected member of the legislature, but will run when he calls the vote, which he said in an earlier interview would be before the Nov. 3 deadline.

He made no changes to his cabinet but will serve as minister responsible for the executive council office.

Pemberton calls himself a longtime Yukon businessman, volunteer, husband and father, and replaces former premier Ranj Pillai, who announced earlier this year he was stepping down.

Pemberton won the Yukon Liberal Party’s leadership by just 13 votes last week over former Kwanlin Dun First Nation chief Doris Bill.