Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai announces resignation
In a surprise move Wednesday, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai announced he's stepping down.
Pillai told reporters he plans to stay on until a new leader is selected.
He said he plans to focus on improvements to health care and the threat posed by U.S. tariffs for the rest of his term.
The territory is headed for an election this fall. Under the Yukon's fixed election date law, the vote must take place no later than Nov. 3.
Pillai has served as premier since January 2023. He ran unopposed for the Liberal leadership after former premier Sandy Silver resigned.
He's also faced nonstop calls from the opposition Yukon Party to call an election since he took power.
Pillai is also the minister responsible for housing, economic development, Indigenous and intergovernmental affairs. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2016 when the Liberals swept to power, ending 14 years of Yukon Party rule.
Under Silver's premiership, Pillai served as the minister of economic development, energy mines and resources and tourism and culture.
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