Jim Kenyon is back as minister responsible for Yukon Energy, and Brad Cathers has returned to the Yukon Party caucus.
Premier Darrell Pasloski made both announcements yesterday, as his first tweak to cabinet.
Kenyon, MLA for Porter Creek North, has overseen the public utility before, until July of 2009, when then-premier Dennis Fentie took over the job in an effort to control the fallout from the ATCO energy privatization scandal.
Kenyon continued to be responsible for the Department of Economic Development and the liquor, lottery and housing corporations until May of this year. That’s when Kenyon criticized the outgoing premier during the Yukon Party’s leadership race, and Fentie sacked him.
Klondike MLA Steve Nordick inherited Kenyon’s old portfolios.
Kenyon expressed mixed feelings about not receiving his old duties.
“It would be nice to continue that game plan. But I can also see the good thing about getting a new set of eyes looking at something. That’s why shuffles occur.
“I’m with what I’ve got. I have no complaints.”
Brad Cathers has also been invited back into the fold. At least, by some accounts.
The Yukon Party MLA for Lake Laberge is back in caucus, according to a release issued Tuesday. He had sat as an Independent since the autumn of 2009, when he quit cabinet and caucus over the ATCO affair.
Cathers didn’t get a cabinet post.
But he claims to be in no hurry to receive a portfolio.
For now, he’s fighting to keep representing his riding. It’s being contested by Teena Dixon.
“But anyone who wasn’t hiding under a rock during the leadership election should be well aware that Darrell and I have an extremely strong working relationship, and be clear about where things are headed down the road.”
Contact John Thompson at
johnt@yukon-news.com.