Yukon MP-designate Brendan Hanley has been keeping a low profile since winning the federal election five weeks ago, but says he’s been busy in the meantime.

Hanley explained what he’s been up to since his Sept. 20 election victory via an email to the Star on Tuesday afternoon.

He said he’d been watching the announcement of the new federal cabinet – of which he is not a member – with interest during the morning.

“I think this is a strong, diverse, and experienced cabinet,” he said.

“There are a number of ministers in key roles for Yukon, that I look forward to getting to know as we start to address Yukon’s priorities, including housing, climate change, mental health and reconciliation.”

Hanley said he was taking a planned break from the public eye as he worked out various details for his offices in Whitehorse and Ottawa.

“I have been deliberately quiet as I work through all the details of orientation to the role of the MP, including setting up the office and recruiting,” he said.

“By the time I am sworn in in mid-November, I expect to have the office up and running. We will post the information about office hours and how to contact the office once we are ready.”

Members of his family will be on hand when he is sworn into office on Nov. 17 in Ottawa.

“I am still in the process of recruiting staff for both the local office and my eventual office in Ottawa,” he said.

“I have one person working now in the local office at 204 Black Street. Her name is Erika. She is helping me set up the office and she is in the process of orienting herself to her new role. She is new to this office and role but comes with great qualifications.”

Hanley is the former chief medical officer of health for the Yukon. He guided the territory through most of the pandemic, introducing measures such as the Safe Six and months of mandatory masking.

He was a last-minute Liberal candidate, gaining the nomination in August after veteran MP Larry Bagnell announced his retirement after first having been elected in 2000.

Hanley won the seat handily, finishing more than 1,000 votes ahead of Conservative candidate Barb Dunlop.

She was a last-minute candidate herself, replacing Jonas Smith after he was turfed by party officials over his views on mandatory vaccines. He ran as an independent.

Premier Sandy Silver saluted the new federal cabinet on Wednesday.

“I want to congratulate all of the new and returning federal ministers who were sworn-in as members of the cabinet of the Government of Canada,” he said in a statement.

“My colleagues and I look forward to working with our new federal counterparts to address COVID-19 and advance priorities that improve the lives of Yukoners.

“Our collaborative relationship with the federal government is complemented by our shared interest in supporting clean energy and climate resiliency, housing and mental health.

“Together we can build a brighter, more sustainable and more affordable future for the territory.”