The Yukon Legislative Assembly is saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Member of the Legislative Assembly Margaret Commodore.
Margaret Commodore was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the general election for the 25th Legislative Assembly on June 7, 1982. She was re-elected in the general elections for the 26th Legislative Assembly on May 13, 1985, the 27th Legislative Assembly on February 20, 1989, and the 28th Legislative Assembly on October 19, 1992. In September 1993 she changed her name from Margaret Joe to Margaret Commodore.
On May 29, 1985, Margaret Commodore became one of the first two First Nations people appointed to Yukon’s Cabinet. She was also the first First Nations woman to serve as a minister in a Canadian legislature.
During her time in the Legislative Assembly, Margaret Commodore served in several Cabinet positions. In the 26th Legislative Assembly, she served as the Minister of Health and Human Resources, and Minister of the Women's Bureau (later called the Women's Directorate). During the 27th Legislative Assembly, she served as Minister of Justice, Minister of the Public Service Commission, Minister of the Workers' Compensation Board, and Minister of the Women's Directorate. During the second session of the 27th Legislative Assembly, she also served as Minister of the Yukon Liquor Corporation.
Margaret Commodore served on the Standing Committee on Rules, Elections, and Privileges, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and the Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments.
The Yukon Legislative Assembly extends its sincere condolences to Margaret Commodore's family, friends, former colleagues, and all those who knew her.
Hon. Yvonne Clarke,
Speaker, Yukon Legislative Assembly