History

The Office of Commissioner was established in 1898, when the Parliament of Canada passed the Yukon Act.

Under this Act, a Commissioner and legislative council of six governed Yukon, all appointed by the Government of Canada.  Over the years, the council changed to elected members and the numbers varied depending on the population of Yukon. Administrative authority and power remained with the Commissioner. 

In 1979, the Commissioner’s involvement in day to day activities of government substantially changed with the Epp Letter, and formally changed in 2003 with amendments to the Yukon Act.

Today, the role of Commissioner is similar to a provincial lieutenant governor.

Past Yukon Commissioners

1897-1898: James Morrow Walsh

1898-1901: William Ogilvie

1901-1902: James Hamilton Ross

1902-1903: Zachary Taylor Wood

1903-1904: Frederick Tennyson Congdon

1905-1906: William Wallace Burns McInnes

1907-1911: Alexander Henderson

1912-1915: George Black

1916-1918: George Norris Williams

1918-1924: George P. MacKenzie

1925-1927: Percy Reid

1928-1932: George Ian MacLean

1932-1946: George A. Jeckell

1947-1950: John Edward Gibben

1950-1951: Andrew Harold Gibson

1951-1952: Frederick Fraser

1952-1955: Wilfred George Brown

1955-1962: Frederick Howard Collins

1962-1966: Gordon Robertson Cameron

1966-1976: James Smith

1976-1978: Dr. Arthur MacDonald Pearson

1978-1979: Frank Fingland

1979-1979: Ione Jean Christensen

1980-1986: Douglas Leslie Dewey Bell

1986-1995: John Kenneth McKinnon

1995-2000: Judy Gingell

2000-2005: Jack Cable

2005-present: Geraldine Van Bibber