With the sudden passing of Deputy Minister of Environment Michael Prochazka on August 2, 2024, Premier Ranj Pillai has implemented interim leadership measures to ensure continuity and stability in the Department of Environment’s operations.
Effective immediately, Briar Young will serve in the role of Deputy Minister of Environment until a permanent replacement is appointed. Briar Young has over 24 years of experience in environmental management and natural resource regulation, holding various positions in the public and private sectors.
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Deputy Ministers, including presidents of government corporations, are the most senior public servants in the Government of Yukon. They are responsible for the departments or corporations’ budget, day-to-day operations and program development.
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Deputy Ministers serve at the pleasure of the Premier.
Briar Young moved to the Yukon in 2008 with the Government of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, where he managed the Oceans and Habitat program for the Yukon and Transboundary Rivers area. He joined the Government of Yukon in 2013 and has served in numerous positions in the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources before joining Environment in 2023 as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Environmental Sustainability. He has over 24 years of experience working in the private and public sector with much of his career focused on managing complex natural resource regulatory regimes, Indigenous engagement and environmental programs. Briar has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Resource Management from Simon Fraser University.
Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
jordan.owens@yukon.ca
Kelan Deigh
Public Service Commission
867-471-2983
kelan.deigh@yukon.ca