Elizabeth Hanson
| Elizabeth (Liz) Hanson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader of Official Opposition of Yukon | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office October 11, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Mitchell |
| Leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office September 26, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Todd Hardy |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Yukon | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office December 13, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Todd Hardy |
| Constituency | Whitehorse Centre |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1951 Edmonton Alberta |
| Political party | New Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Doug Mowat |
| Residence | Whitehorse, Yukon |
| Occupation | Politician |
Elizabeth (Liz) Hanson is a territorial politician from the Yukon, Canada. She is the leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party and has held the position since September 26, 2009. On December 13, 2010 she was elected MLA for Whitehorse Centre.[1]
Early life
Prior to attending university, Hanson's resume included involvement with high school student council, youth groups and community social action/justice movements including organizing committee(s) Miles for Millions, Arusha Cross Cultural Centre. Hanson attended the [University of Calgary] and obtained degrees in political science and social work.
During university she worked as a taxi driver, two summers at Waterton Lakes National Park for Parks Canada, youth recreation worker for City Of Calgary, short order cook and bookstore clerk.
After graduating university, Hanson took a job as a social worker in Souris PEI.
In Yukon, Hanson first worked as a regional social worker for the Department of Indian and Inuit Affairs- her region was Old Crow to Good Hope Lake BC. She subsequently worked for INAC in Nanaimo BC for 5 years, Ottawa for 3 years, returning to Yukon 1989 to lead the Yukon based federal Self Government negotiations team. She served as Yukon Director of Land Claims and Indian Government for the federal government until 2003, when she became the Regional Director General of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in the Yukon, charged with reorganizing the departments regional presence to reflect the federal presence "post land claims and devolution"; she retired from this position in 2007. Hanson and her family completed a federal Interchange to Canberra Australia, with the Aboriginal and Torres Islander Commission .
Political career
After her retirement Hanson became actively involved with the Yukon New Democratic Party and became president of the party .
After being the only candidate to declare interest in the leadership of the Yukon NDP on September 26, 2009, Hanson was acclaimed as leader.[2] Following the death of Todd Hardy on July 28, 2010, Hanson won the resulting by-election December 13 2010 in Whitehorse Centre. She retained her seat in Whitehorse Centre in the general election October 11 2011, leading the YNDP from third party status to Official Opposition
References
- ↑ "‘Tonight is just the beginning,’ victor vows". Whitehorse Star, December 14, 2010.
- ↑ "Hanson named Yukon NDP leader". CBC News. September 28, 2009.
External links
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