Mike Pemberton wins Yukon Liberal leadership race, will be next premier

By Canadian Press on June 19, 2025.

WHITEHORSE — Mike Pemberton has been named the new leader of the Yukon Liberal Party and will be the territory’s 11th premier.

A local businessman and longtime party insider, Pemberton won the leadership race by 13 votes over former Kwanlin Dun First Nations Chief Doris Bill.

He will replace outgoing Premier Ranj Pillai who announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election and would step down after his successor was chosen.

The party says 873 ballots were cast at the leadership convention in Whitehorse, with Pemberton getting 442 votes, 429 people voting for Bill, and two ballots being spoiled.

The next territorial election must be held on or before Nov. 3.

The Liberals hold a minority government in Yukon with eight of the 19 available seats in the legislature.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025

Ashley Joannou and Isabel Ruitenbeek, The Canadian Press

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