Photo by Whitehorse Star
Former Yukon NDP Premier Tony Penikett
Penikett appointed to the Order of Canada
Former Yukon premier Tony Penikett was named one of 13 officers of the Order of Canada today, recognizing decades of contributions to the nation.
Former Yukon premier Tony Penikett was named one of 13 officers of the Order of Canada today, recognizing decades of contributions to the nation.
“For his contributions as a teacher, negotiator and public servant, and for his human rights activism, we are happy to congratulate former Yukon NDP premier Tony Penikett on being awarded an Order of Canada,” the Yukon NDP caucus said in a statement.
“This award recognizes those who have made a major difference to Canada through lifelong contributions.”
Penikett, who turned 75 last month, served as premier from 1985 to 1992, leading the first two NDP governments in Yukon history and making major accomplishments toward reacing Indigenous land claim agreements.
“A tireless advocate for First Nations’ rights, for Yukon government by and for the people, and for workers everywhere, Penikett continues to be an inspiration for us all,” the NDP caucus said.
In the mid-1990s, Penikett left the Yukon for Vancouver, where he instructed, consulted, lectured and wrote several books, many on public policy and the North.
Much of his post-Yukon activities involved travel, and at one point, he worked for an NDP government in B.C.
In the 1970s, Penikett was the executive assistant to then-federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent. He also served as a member of Whitehorse city council before becoming an NDP MLA in opposition to then-government leader Chris Pearson’s Conservative regime.
He was in Whitehorse last January as a catalyst for a weekend conference whose delegates worked to produce a simplified version of the 200-page-long Umbrella Final Agreement for possible use in the territory’s schools, among other institutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has stalled progress on that project, but it’s expected to resume after the crisis has passed.
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Comments (13)
Up 0 Down 1
Dick on Jan 5, 2021 at 4:03 pm
The Order has been tarnished with too many patronage appointments, of those that simply enriched themselves. How many Canadians who volunteered their whole lives, and made a difference in the lives so many, never even got consideration. Looking at the list of appointments over the last twenty years, and if I was appointed, and I won't be, I think my reaction would be one of embarrassment, rather than pride.
Up 1 Down 9
TheHammer on Jan 5, 2021 at 1:53 pm
Martin@ The Yukon way of life was destroyed with the coming of the white man and the gold rush. You have a very tepid, delusional view of what you consider to be 'destruction'.
Up 10 Down 4
martin on Jan 4, 2021 at 4:13 pm
The gang of Tony, Piers, Trevor & Co destroyed the Yukon way-of-life and then they left for greener pasture.
Up 6 Down 4
Anie on Jan 1, 2021 at 8:37 am
Floyd, it was the 80's. But in answer to your question, I write 2 cheques a year, for my 649 subscription, because Tangerine MasterCard deems lottery purchase to be a cash advance.
Up 2 Down 6
JC on Dec 31, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Floyd, read the post again. Then read about the main character in the story.
Up 12 Down 5
Floyd on Dec 31, 2020 at 1:23 pm
@ Anie
Who even writes a cheque let alone at the theater?
Up 12 Down 26
TheHammer on Dec 31, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Under Tony Penikett the Best WCB legislation, undermined and wrecked by YP, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, Employer Reps, Union Reps, Board of Directors, and the most damaging of all under the watch of Brad Cathers in Collusion with Craig Tuton. Under Tony, medical premiums were eliminated.
Up 33 Down 8
AL on Dec 31, 2020 at 10:16 am
Hmm, I have many things to say about this individual. I think to be brief and to the point, in lieu of a long diatribe I shall just say "Good Grief".
Up 38 Down 12
jack on Dec 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm
He was a divisive leader who enriched himself and his cronies after leaving office. So much for his socialist credentials.
Up 16 Down 20
Juniper Jackson on Dec 30, 2020 at 9:00 pm
His Dad, John, was a Doctor in Dawson City in the late '60.. He did a minor procedure for me on his kitchen table..I think his Mom was a nurse..but I just really remember playing cards once in a while.. Really nice folks.
I am glad to see young Tony has done so well for himself.
Up 13 Down 25
Wilf Carter on Dec 30, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Great person.
Up 40 Down 9
Anie on Dec 30, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Intimidating a teenager who would not accept his cheque at the theatre with "do you know who I am?" and 80's slumlord . The order of Canada is tarnished.
Up 31 Down 17
JC on Dec 30, 2020 at 3:49 pm
The socialist who began the screw up of the mining, and the oil industry. And it's never been the same since, nor will it ever be again. Even the Conservative Yukon Party didn't fix it. Billions of dollars of profits have been lost over those years with most people living on some kind of welfare program, including gov workers. Now, the socialist Libs are putting the Yukon in so much debt, it will never get out. And you can be sure, if the Libs get in again or the NDP, there will be a Territorial tax to help pay it off. What else can be done. His nibs JT can't help anymore. He got Canada into 1.4 trillion dollar debt and over 400 billion dollar deficit, the next 10 generations will not be able to pay it off and balance a budget. How these guys became socialists has always bewildered me. Can't figure it out.