Pat Duncan | |
|---|---|
 Duncan in 2025 | |
| Canadian Senator fromYukon | |
| Assumed office December 12, 2018 | |
| Nominated by | Justin Trudeau |
| Appointed by | Julie Payette |
| Preceded by | Daniel Lang |
| 6th Premier of Yukon | |
| In office May 6, 2000 – November 30, 2002 | |
| Commissioner | Judy Gingell Jack Cable |
| Preceded by | Piers McDonald |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Fentie |
| Leader of Official Opposition of Yukon | |
| In office 1999–2000 | |
| Preceded by | John Ostashek |
| Succeeded by | Trevor Harding |
| MLA forPorter Creek South | |
| In office September 30, 1996 – October 10, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Alan Nordling |
| Succeeded by | Don Inverarity |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1960-04-08)April 8, 1960 (age 65) |
| Party | Non-aligned |
| Other political affiliations | Yukon Liberal (until 2018)Independent Senators Group (2019—2025) |
| Spouse | Daryl Berube |
| Residence | Whitehorse, Yukon |
Patricia Jane Duncan (born April 8, 1960) is a Canadian politician fromYukon. Duncan served as leader of theYukon Liberal Party from 1998 to 2005 and as the sixthpremier of Yukon from 2000 until 2002. Duncan was the first Liberal premier of the Yukon and the firstfemale premier in the Yukon, the second woman in Canadian history to win the premiership of a province or territory through a general election, the first to do so by defeating an incumbent premier, and the first to do so by defeating a male opponent.
Duncan was appointed to theSenate of Canada on December 12, 2018.[1] In September 2025, she was appointed Deputy Government Liaison in the Senate.[2]
Duncan was born inEdmonton, Alberta in 1960, and moved with her family toWhitehorse, Yukon in 1964. She graduated fromCarleton University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.[3]
Prior to entering politics, Duncan was a small business owner. She also served as executive director of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce. In the mid-1980s, Duncan served as a special assistant toProgressive Conservative Deputy Prime MinisterErik Nielsen. Duncan remained in this position until Nielsen's retirement in 1987.[4]
Duncan was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the 1996 general election. Duncan was elected as a Liberal to represent the Porter Creek South riding, a riding located inWhitehorse. In the 1996 general election,Piers McDonald (New Democratic Party) won a majority government. Duncan was one of three Liberals elected. Liberal leader at the time, Ken Taylor, was unsuccessful in winning his Mount Lorne riding.
In 1998, Duncan was elected leader of theYukon Liberal Party. From 1998-2000, Duncan served as the Leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. In the 2000 general election Duncan led the Yukon Liberal Party to a majority government, defeating New Democratic incumbentPiers McDonald.[5][6] The Liberals were elected in 10 ridings and received 42.7% of the popular vote. Early in 2002, the Liberal majority was reduced to a minority after the defection of three Liberal MLAs,Mike McLarnon,Don Roberts andWayne Jim.[7] The catalyst for the defections was reported to be Duncan's allegedly heavy-handed and secretive leadership style.[8]
On October 4, 2002, only two years into Duncan's five-year term, she called a general election for November 4, 2002.[9] The rationale for the election was to achieve certainty in the legislature, however many Yukoners were angered at the quick election.[8] The Yukon Liberals were reduced to only one seat after the election - Duncan's own riding of Porter Creek South.Yukon Party leaderDennis Fentie, a former NDP MLA, led his new party to victory. The Liberals were reduced to third party status with Duncan as the sole Liberal MLA.[10]
At the 2005Yukon Liberal Party leadership convention, Duncan was defeated byArthur Mitchell by a margin of 357 votes to 303.[11] Citing health concerns, she did not seek re-election in the 2006 general election.[12]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Pat Duncan | 408 | 51.7% | -12.5% | |
| Yukon Party | Lynn Ogden | 301 | 38.1% | +13.3% | |
| NDP | Paul Warner | 80 | 10.1% | -0.7% | |
| Total | 789 | 100.0% | – | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Pat Duncan | 607 | 64.2% | +21.3% | |
| Yukon Party | Larry Carlyle | 235 | 24.8% | -14.3% | |
| NDP | Mark Dupuis | 103 | 10.8% | -7.0% | |
| Total | 945 | 100.0% | – | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Pat Duncan | 435 | 42.9% | +15.0% | |
| Yukon Party | Alan Nordling | 397 | 39.1% | +39.1% | |
| NDP | Mark Dupuis | 181 | 17.8% | -7.8% | |
| Total | 1013 | 100.0% | – | ||
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