2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the Yukon joining Confederation. Join Canadian Club Toronto on May 2 when The Honourable Ranj Pillai, Premier of the Yukon, joins us to discuss the economic future of the territory and his long-term vision for prosperity in the North. The Premier will examine the Yukon’s place in the world, Arctic security, the territory’s nation-leading approach to Reconciliation, mining and critical minerals, and the Yukon’s progressive business environment. The Premier will be joined in conversation by The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Vice-Chair, Global Investment Banking, CIBC.
*For virtual attendees, please note that the live stream will begin at approximately 12:40pm ET & the link will be provided closer to the event date*
The Honourable Ranj Pillai
Premier of the Yukon
Ranj Pillai was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 2016 and was appointed as Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy Corporation.
He was elected for a second term in April 2021 and served as the Minister of Economic Development; Minister of Tourism and Culture; and the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, Yukon Liquor Corporation and Yukon Lottery Commission. In addition to his duties as Premier, he currently serves as Minister of the Executive Council Office; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation.
During his time in office, Pillai has worked hard to advance a strong and diverse Yukon economy. He has focused on building an ecosystem to support entrepreneurs across all sectors while supporting the Yukon’s vibrant resource sector which includes three operating mines. Pillai was recognized for this work as the recipient of the North Startup Canada 2019 Regional Award for Entrepreneur Promotion. Since 2016, the Yukon has been leading the country with the lowest unemployment rate, strong GDP growth and impressive investments in building construction.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pillai established the Business Advisory Council to provide guidance to the Government of Yukon. Under Pillai’s leadership, the Government of Yukon was the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a number of crucial measures, including the Yukon Business Relief and Paid Sick Leave programs to ensure businesses and their employees were well-positioned to weather the impacts of the pandemic.
Pillai is a trusted decision maker and tireless community advocate who has contributed to numerous Yukon businesses, governments, schools and not-for-profits. He also co-chaired the 2020 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference (EMMC) alongside the Government of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan and the Committee on Internal Trade alongside the Government of Canada’s Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc.
Pillai sat as a Whitehorse City Councillor from 2009 to 2012. During his tenure, he spearheaded the first anti-racism and discrimination bylaw North of 60.
He was previously the Executive Director of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Government, has held senior roles with private sector businesses and Yukon University and is a former member of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference and Banff Forum. He has also held previous roles with numerous First Nations development corporations and junior mining companies, as well as a number of NGOs focused on helping youth and vulnerable citizens.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Vice-Chair Global Investment Banking, CIBC Capital Markets
The Honourable Lisa Raitt joined CIBC Capital Markets in January 2020, having previously worked in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Raitt’s current focus is on senior client coverage and business development with clients in the energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, which align closely with her deep expertise. Prior to her current role, Ms. Raitt was the President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority.
She was elected into the House of Commons in 2008, where she went on to hold three senior portfolios serving as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Transport. Most recently, Ms. Raitt was the Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada.
Ms. Raitt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Guelph. She possesses an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar in 1998.
In 2020 Ms. Raitt was named a Woodrow Wilson Center Global Fellow of the Canada Institute.
