Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Commissioner Angélique Bernard for her years of dedicated service to the people of the Yukon.
“Angélique Bernard was sworn in as Yukon's 36th Commissioner on March 12, 2018 and served the territory for one term. She was also the first Francophone Commissioner to the Yukon.
“Among her many contributions to the territory, Madame Bernard's exceptional community engagement and unwavering commitment to advancing Francophone rights have earned her widespread recognition. In February of this year, Madame Bernard initiated the Yukon Francophonie Day funding program with the aim of fostering the vibrancy and diversity of the Francophone community in the Yukon.
“It has been a tremendous privilege collaborating with Madame Bernard, and we extend our heartfelt best wishes to her as she embarks on new endeavors within the community.
“Today we also welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister of the appointment of new Commissioner Adeline Webber for a term of five years. Ms. Webber is a proud member of the Teslin Tlingit Nation and has spent a great deal of time working to advance reconciliation throughout the territory, particularly for women. Ms. Webber has spent much of her career in the federal public service, most recently serving as Administrator of the territory since 2018. We look forward to continuing to see the work she does as she serves the public and promotes the interests of Yukoners.”
Adeline Webber
Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, Adeline Webber has served as Administrator of Yukon since 2018, after spending most of her career working in the federal public service, including as the Yukon District Director for the Public Service Commission of Canada. She is a proud member of the Teslin Tlingit Nation.
Ms. Webber has dedicated her life to defending the interests of Yukoners, especially Indigenous Peoples, both locally and nationally. She worked on the recognition and acknowledgement of rights for Indigenous Peoples in Yukon, including Indigenous women’s rights. She has also played an important role in the implementation of land claims and First Nation self-government agreements in the territory. In 2022, she was a member of the Assembly of First Nations delegation that met with His Holiness Pope Francis in Rome, where he delivered an apology for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system in Canada.
Ms. Webber continues to be involved in causes closest to her heart, such as the Whitehorse Aboriginal Women’s Circle, an organization she founded. She is also the Chair of the Yukon Residential Schools Missing Children working group.
Ms. Webber is an honorary lifetime member of the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre and has received various other recognitions for her work and advocacy, including the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca