National News

Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton poses in this undated handout photo.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Yukon Liberal Party

Yukoners going to the polls Nov. 3, territory's premier says

By The Canadian Press

Published 2:18 PDT, Thu October 2, 2025

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Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton says he will call a territorial election on Friday, setting the vote for the last possible day allowed under the territory's fixed election legislation.

He told supporters in Carcross, Yukon, the election will be held Nov. 3.

"We're kicking things off in Carcross with heart, humility and hope," he said on Thursday.

Pemberton told the crowd that housing is his party's top priority, while they will also focus on health care, affordability, the economy and First Nations' partnerships.

"We're heading into this election at a time when things can feel heavy. People are feeling frustrated, they're divided and they're tired. But I say don't lose hope. Our democracy is strong, our territory is strong, and together, we can be stronger still," he said.

The Liberals have been in power since 2016, although Pemberton has only been the party's leader and premier since June and he doesn't have a seat in the legislature.

The Yukon has had three premiers since the last election in 2021, starting with Sandy Silver who announced in 2022 he was stepping down and would not seek re-election.

He was followed by Ranj Pillai, who stepped down earlier this year.

The party has a minority government with eight members of the legislature and the support of the three New Democrats with a confidence and supply agreement.

The official Opposition Yukon Party also has eight seats.

No sitting Liberal cabinet minister is seeking re-election this year. Speaker Jeremy Harper is the only Liberal hoping to return to the legislature.

Voters will choose 21 members of the legislature for the first time, up from the current 19, and 15 of the ridings have new boundaries after a territorial commission recommended changes last year.

Pemberton said the election will be about making a difference in people's lives.

"It's about understanding our past and carrying its lessons forward to a stronger and shared future. That's what Yukoners expect. That's what we're here to deliver," he said.

Residents will also be asked to vote in a non-binding plebiscite on whether the way members of the legislature are elected should be changed from the current system of first past the post to a ranked vote.

The election comes as the cost of living grows in the territory.

The NDP has promised to build a universal school nutrition program across the territory if elected, while the Opposition Yukon Party has said it would cut a planned 34 per cent increase to Yukon power rates.

The Yukon Party ran the government from 2002 to 2016, before losing in an election that saw Silver's Liberals grow from a single seat in the legislature to majority government status.

The Yukon Party is led by Currie Dixon, who was first elected in 2011 but did not seek re-election in 2016, choosing instead to manage the party's campaign that year.

He returned to politics when he was elected leader in 2020.

NDP Leader Kate White was first elected in 2011 and has served three terms in the legislature.

She was named party leader in 2019.