Spotlight on Yukon: Intergovernmental relations and arctic sovereignty

On Monday, December 2 in Ottawa, we hosted a fireside chat on intergovernmental relations and arctic sovereignty between Ranj Pillai, Premier of Yukon, and Charles Breton, executive director of the IRPP’s Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation.

Given that Yukon holds a unique position in the Canadian Federation, situated geographically as a key actor on arctic sovereignty and the fight against climate change, this conversation is especially timely. Additionally, the fact that almost half of First Nations with self-government agreements in Canada are in the territory brings another important layer to how public policy is done in Yukon.

As part of Premier Pillai’s visit to Ottawa for Yukon Days, where these intergovernmental relations with First Nations and with the federal government were front and center, this fireside chat discussed the opportunities and challenges that Yukon’s unique situation creates for public policy.

Speaker

Ranj Pillai

Premier of Yukon

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Ranj Pillai was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 2016 and was appointed as Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy Corporation.

He was elected for a second term in April 2021 and served as the Minister of Economic Development; Minister of Tourism and Culture; and the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, Yukon Liquor Corporation and Yukon Lottery Commission. In addition to his duties as Premier, he currently serves as Minister of the Executive Council Office; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation.

Moderator

Charles Breton

Executive Director of the IRPP’s Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation

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Charles Breton has been the Executive Director of the IRPP’s Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation since 2019. He was the research director at Vox Pop Labs, where he led the design of innovative public opinion research tools such as Vote Compass. His research interests include Canadian politics, comparative public policy and public opinion research. Before pursuing an academic career, he was a researcher and journalist for current affairs programs on Radio-Canada, and he is a frequent analyst and expert commentator on Canadian politics and public policy. He holds a PhD in political science from the University of British Columbia, did post-doctoral studies at Vanderbilt University, and has an MA in political science from the Université de Montréal.