About Premier Ranj Pillai

Biography

Ranj Pillai was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 2016 and was appointed as Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy Corporation.

He was elected for a second term in April 2021 and served as the Minister of Economic Development; Minister of Tourism and Culture; and the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, Yukon Liquor Corporation and Yukon Lottery Commission. In addition to his duties as Premier, he currently serves as Minister of the Executive Council Office; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation.

During his time in office, Pillai has worked hard to advance a strong and diverse Yukon economy. He has focused on building an ecosystem to support entrepreneurs across all sectors while supporting the Yukon’s vibrant resource sector which includes three operating mines. Pillai was recognized for this work as the recipient of the North Startup Canada 2019 Regional Award for Entrepreneur Promotion. Since 2016, the Yukon has been leading the country with the lowest unemployment rate, strong GDP growth and impressive investments in building construction.

In addition, Pillai was instrumental in the development and launch of a number of policies that will chart a path for the Yukon’s future, including:

• Cultivating our Future: 2020 Yukon Agriculture Policy;
• Our Clean Future: A Yukon Strategy for Climate Change, Energy and a Green Economy; and
• Yukon Energy Corporation's 10-Year Renewable Electricity Plan.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pillai established the Business Advisory Council to provide guidance to the Government of Yukon. Under Pillai’s leadership, the Government of Yukon was the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a number of crucial measures, including the Yukon Business Relief and Paid Sick Leave programs to ensure businesses and their employees were well-positioned to weather the impacts of the pandemic.

Pillai is a trusted decision maker and tireless community advocate who has contributed to numerous Yukon businesses, governments, schools and not-for-profits. He also co-chaired the 2020 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference (EMMC) alongside the Government of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan and the Committee on Internal Trade alongside the Government of Canada’s Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc.

Pillai sat as a Whitehorse City Councillor from 2009 to 2012. During his tenure, he spearheaded the first anti-racism and discrimination bylaw North of 60.

He was previously the Executive Director of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Government, has held senior roles with private sector businesses and Yukon University and is a former member of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference and Banff Forum. He has also held previous roles with numerous First Nations development corporations and junior mining companies, as well as a number of NGOs focused on helping youth and vulnerable citizens.

Social media

• Like the Premier on Facebook.
• Follow @RanjPillai1 on Twitter.
• Visit the Premier's page on the Yukon Legislative Assembly website.