29 Facts About Piers McDonald

Piers McDonald, OC was born on August 4,1955 and is a Yukon politician and businessman.

Piers McDonald was leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party from 1995 to 2000.

Piers McDonald is a founding member, and currently chair, of Northern Vision Development, which has focused on residential and property revitalization, commercial real estate, and hospitality services in Yukon.

Piers McDonald was the chancellor of Yukon University from 2016 to 2020.

Piers McDonald was elected in the rural riding of Mayo as part of the New Democrat caucus in the 1982 election.

Piers McDonald had been an underground miner, labour leader, and vice-president of the Yukon Federation of Labour before his entry into territorial politics.

Piers McDonald acted as critic for Rural Development, Labour, Occupational Health and Safety, and Workers' Compensation.

Piers McDonald was sworn in as a member of the Yukon Executive Council as Minister of Education, Minister of Community and Transportation Services, and Minister of the Yukon Housing Corporation.

Piers McDonald was re-elected in Mayo in the 1989 election, which saw the New Democrats attain majority status in the legislative assembly.

Piers McDonald was sworn into Cabinet, this time as Government House Leader, Minister of Education, Minister of Government Services, Minister of Economic Development, Mines and Small Business, Minister of the Public Service Commission, and Minister of the Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board.

Piers McDonald oversaw the signing of an oil and gas accord with the Government of the Northwest Territories and an economic development agreement with the Government of Canada.

Piers McDonald was elected to McIntyre-Takhini that election, but the Penikett government was narrowly defeated by a minority Yukon Party government led by John Ostashek and propped up by three independent MLAs.

Penikett subsequently resigned as leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party and Piers McDonald succeeded him as leader.

Piers McDonald assumed the critic portfolios of Finance and Economic Development and served as Leader of the Official Opposition.

Piers McDonald defeated the government of John Ostashek in the election of September 30,1996, his government elected with a large level of support in rural Yukon.

Piers McDonald emphasized intergovernmental and circumpolar relations, established new territorial parks and community schools, and created new government strategies for restorative justice, protected areas, trade and investment, forestry, and energy.

Since leaving territorial politics, Piers McDonald has developed a career as a businessman and management consultant.

Piers McDonald became one of the founding members of Northern Vision Development in 2004 and served as its chief executive officer until 2009.

Piers McDonald continues to serve as chair of its board of directors.

Piers McDonald was named the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce's Businessperson of the Year in 2007.

Piers McDonald focused on using the Games to promote a vision of pan-northernism and collaboration and he successfully oversaw the modernization of much of Whitehorse's sports infrastructure.

Piers McDonald continues to serve on the Canada Games Council as its vice-president.

Piers McDonald was named the Yukon Commissioner's Volunteer of the Year in 2007 in recognition for his volunteerism and leadership of the Canada Winter Games.

In September 2008, Piers McDonald was appointed to the Board of Directors of Northwestel, the communications company providing service to the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Piers McDonald served as chair of the Yukon Energy Corporation's board of directors and governance from 2009 to 2014.

In September 2016, Piers McDonald was appointed as chancellor of Yukon University.

Piers McDonald was succeeded by Jemena James Allen, on October 6,2020.

Piers McDonald is one of only four Yukoners to be appointed Officer of the Order.

Piers McDonald is credited for spearheading construction of Yukon College's Whitehorse campus, the Yukon Arts Centre, the South Klondike Highway, and schools in Dawson City, Old Crow and Watson Lake.