Dennis G. Fentie | |
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The Hon. Dennis G. Fentie
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7th Premier of the Yukon | |
In office November 30, 2002 – June 10, 2011 |
|
Prime Minister |
Jean Chrétien Paul Martin Stephen Harper |
Commissioner |
Jack Cable Geraldine Van Bibber Doug Phillips |
Preceded by | Pat Duncan |
Succeeded by | Darrell Pasloski |
MLA for Watson Lake | |
In office September 30, 1996 – October 11, 2011 |
|
Preceded by | John Devries |
Succeeded by | Patti McLeod |
Personal details | |
Born |
Edmonton, Alberta |
November 8, 1950
Political party | New Democrat → Yukon Party |
Spouse(s) | Lorraine Nixon |
Residence | Whitehorse, Yukon |
Dennis G. Fentie, MLA (born November 8, 1950) is a Canadian politician. He was the seventh Premier of Yukon and leader of the Yukon Party, serving from 2002 to 2011, as well as the MLA for Watson Lake.
Fentie was born in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1962, Fentie moved to Watson Lake. Prior to entering politics, Fentie was involved in a variety of economic activities in and around Watson Lake. These activities include logging, tourism, mining, trucking, and fuel distribution. Fentie has served as director of both the Association of Yukon Forests and the Watson Lake Chamber of Commerce, and the owner and former manager of Francis River Construction.
Fentie was first elected MLA for Watson Lake in the 1996 election as a member of Yukon New Democratic Party, succeeding retiring incumbent John Devries. He was re-elected in the 2000 election.
In May 2002, Fentie left the NDP, crossing the floor to sit with the Yukon Party. One month later, Fentie was selected as the next Yukon Party leader. In the 2002 election, Fentie led the Yukon Party to a majority government, defeating incumbent Premier Pat Duncan and the Liberals. The party won 12 of 18 seats available in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
Fentie's majority government was reduced to minority government status in August 2006, when three Yukon Party MLAs resigned or chose to sit as independents. Copperbelt MLA Haakon Arntzen resigned after facing sexual assault charges and Klondike MLA Peter Jenkins was ousted after refusing to repay a government loan. McIntyre-Takhini MLA John Edzerza, the only First Nations person in Fentie's cabinet, resigned in August 2006 to sit as an Independent. Edzerza would run in the next election as a member of the NDP.