Ione Christensen
Encyclopedia
Ione Jean Christensen, is a former Canadian
Senator
.
The daughter of former North-West Mounted Police constable Gordon Irwin Cameron, and Dawson City born Martha Ballentine Cameron, her family moved to Whitehorse
in 1949. Christensen graduated from high school in 1953. She received an Associate in Arts Degree in Business Administration from the College of San Mateo
in California
. In 1971, she was appointed the first woman Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Juvenile Court in Yukon. In 1975, she was elected the first woman Mayor of Whitehorse. In 1979, she served as the Commissioner of the Yukon, being the first woman to be appointed as Commissioner of the Yukon.
In 1980, she ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal
candidate, in the federal election
for the riding of Yukon. She lost by 101 votes to Erik Nielsen
.
In 1994, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada
. Her father was also a member. In 1999, Christensen was appointed at the recommendation of Prime Minister
Jean Chrétien
to the Senate
.
In 1968, Christensen married Art Christensen, a geologist. They have two sons, Paul and Philip.
On December 31, 2006, Christensen resigned from the Senate to assist her ailing husband.
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...
Senator
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
.
The daughter of former North-West Mounted Police constable Gordon Irwin Cameron, and Dawson City born Martha Ballentine Cameron, her family moved to 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...
in 1949. Christensen graduated from high school in 1953. She received an Associate in Arts Degree in Business Administration from the College of San Mateo
College of San Mateo
College of San Mateo is a community college in San Mateo, California. It is part of the San Mateo County Community College District....
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 1971, she was appointed the first woman Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Juvenile Court in Yukon. In 1975, she was elected the first woman Mayor of Whitehorse. In 1979, she served as the Commissioner of the Yukon, being the first woman to be appointed as Commissioner of the Yukon.
In 1980, she ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
candidate, in the federal election
Canadian federal election, 1980
The Canadian federal election of 1980 was held on February 18, 1980 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 32nd Parliament of Canada...
for the riding of Yukon. She lost by 101 votes to Erik Nielsen
Erik Nielsen
Erik Hersholt Nielsen, PC, DFC, QC was a Canadian politician, and longtime Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Yukon....
.
In 1994, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. Her father was also a member. In 1999, Christensen was appointed at the recommendation of Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
to the Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
.
In 1968, Christensen married Art Christensen, a geologist. They have two sons, Paul and Philip.
On December 31, 2006, Christensen resigned from the Senate to assist her ailing husband.