Elizabeth Hanson
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth 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
.
and obtained degrees in political science and social work.
During university she worked as a taxi driver, an intern at Parks Canada
, short order cook and bookstore clerk.
After graduating university, Hanson took a job as a social worker.
In Yukon, Hanson worked as a land claims negotiator for the Government of Canada
. She was appointed by Stephen Harper
as head of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in the Yukon, the position she retired from in 2007.
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.
Following the death of Todd Hardy
on July 28, 2010, Hanson ran in the resulting by-election
in Whitehorse
Centre.
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. She is the leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party
Yukon New Democratic Party
The Yukon New Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Yukon territory of Canada.The Yukon NDP first formed the government of the territory under the leadership of Tony Penikett from 1985 to 1992, and under the leadership of Piers McDonald from 1996 to 2000. The party's...
and has held the position since September 26, 2009. On December 13, 2010 she was elected MLA for Whitehorse Centre
Whitehorse Centre
Whitehorse Centre is an electoral district which returns a member to the Legislative Assembly of the Yukon Territory in Canada.The current MLA is Elizabeth Hanson, who is the leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party....
.
Early life
Prior to attending university, Hanson's resume included waiting tables, baby sitting and and working as a retail clerk. Hanson attended the University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
and obtained degrees in political science and social work.
During university she worked as a taxi driver, an intern at Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
, short order cook and bookstore clerk.
After graduating university, Hanson took a job as a social worker.
In Yukon, Hanson worked as a land claims negotiator for the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. She was appointed by Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
as head of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in the Yukon, the position she retired from in 2007.
Political career
Hanson become involved with the Yukon New Democratic PartyYukon New Democratic Party
The Yukon New Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Yukon territory of Canada.The Yukon NDP first formed the government of the territory under the leadership of Tony Penikett from 1985 to 1992, and under the leadership of Piers McDonald from 1996 to 2000. The party's...
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.
Following the death of Todd Hardy
Todd Hardy
Todd Hardy was a Canadian politician, and former Leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party. He has also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Yukon Legislative Assembly from 2002 to 2006....
on July 28, 2010, Hanson ran in the resulting by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
in Whitehorse
Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is Yukon's capital and largest city . It was incorporated in 1950 and is located at kilometre 1476 on the Alaska Highway in southern Yukon. Whitehorse's downtown and Riverdale areas occupy both shores of the Yukon River, which originates in British Columbia and meets the Bering Sea in...
Centre.