Currie Dixon

Early Life and Education

Currie Dixon was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. His parents, Don and Linda, met each other in Yukon in the 1970s.

In 2008, Dixon graduated with an honours Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. In 2011, he earned a master’s degree in political science, with a focus on First Nations governance in Yukon, at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George. (See also Self-Governing First Nations in Yukon.) Dixon’s thesis addressed the importance of First Nations education and the challenges and opportunities that exist between the Yukon government and First Nations. His thesis supervisor called Dixon “one of the best students I’ve ever supervised.”

After earning his master’s, Dixon served as senior policy advisor to Yukon premier Dennis Fentie.

Politics

In the October 2011 territorial election, Currie Dixon ran as the Yukon Party candidate in the newly created electoral district of Copperbelt North. While the New Democratic Party (NDP) ran a candidate in the riding, Dixon’s primary opponent was Arthur Mitchell. He had been leader of the Yukon Liberal Party since 2005 and the territory’s opposition leader since 2006. Dixon was an underdog but went on to win the riding. He earned 520 votes while Mitchell earned 407. The Yukon Party won 11 of the territory’s 19 electoral districts and formed another majority government. Darrell Pasloski continued as premier.

In November 2011, Dixon was appointed Minister of the Environment, Minister of Economic Development. At age 26, he was one of the youngest Canadians ever to serve in a provincial or federal cabinet. He was also appointed Minister of Public Service in August 2013. In January 2015, Dixon was appointed Minister of Community Services.

In June 2016, Dixon announced that he would not seek re-election in the upcoming territorial election. He said that he did not have a new job and was not seeking one as he was determined to continue to serve the people until his term ended. In the November 2016 election, the Yukon Party elected only six candidates. The Liberal Party elected 11 and formed a majority government.

Private Sector Hiatus

Currie Dixon then worked as the business development director with ALX Exploration and Mining Supplies Company. Headquartered in Whitehorse, it provides a range of mining supplies and equipment across Yukon and northern British Columbia. Dixon also served as a senior policy advisor with the Department of Economic Development. He then enrolled in postgraduate studies in International Law at England’s University of London.

Return to Politics

In the 2016 election, the Yukon Party was defeated by the Liberal Party, led by Sandy Silver. Yukon Party leader Darrell Pasloski lost his seat, resigned as party leader, and Stacey Hassard was appointed interim leader. In 2019, it was announced that the party would choose a new leader. In November, Dixon announced his candidacy for Yukon Party leader. He said, “We need to push forward and become a more progressive party, a more inclusive party, and a party that really takes seriously the important role that First Nations have in the governance of the territory."

Dixon competed against two other candidates. The leadership race took place during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the leader’s debate was cancelled and candidates needed to campaign mostly online and over the phone. On 23 May 2020, on the second ballot, Dixon was elected leader of the Yukon Party. In his victory speech, he said, “We must establish sound, productive and respectful relationships with Yukon First Nations. We must look at more ways to ensure our unparalleled quality of life is not threatened, and that Yukoners and their families can be healthy and strong contributors to our economy."

In the campaign for the territorial election on 12 April 2021, Dixon stressed the importance of health care, education, childcare, climate change, housing and economic development. On election day, the incumbent Liberal Party and the Yukon Party each won eight seats, and the New Democrats won three. The Liberals and NDP negotiated an agreement whereby the Liberals continued to form the government with NDP support. (See Minority Government.)

Dixon was elected in his Copperbelt North riding and became the leader of the Official Opposition. He also served as the critic for the Executive Council Office, Yukon Lottery Corporation, Yukon Cannabis Corporation, Early Learning and Child Care, and Sport, as well as the Yukon Liquor Corporation. For two years, Dixon worked to build his party’s platform and popularity while holding the Liberal government to account.

Premier (2025–Present)

Leading up to the territorial election on 3 November 2025, Currie Dixon and other Yukon Party candidates emphasized the importance of addressing the housing crisis and crime. They also pledged to improve health care and create partnerships with the private sector to encourage economic development.

The election proved to be a referendum on the governing Liberal Party, now led by Mike Pemberton. The Liberals’ share of the popular vote fell from 25.3 per cent in 2011 to 10 per cent, and it elected only one candidate. The Yukon Party saw its share of the popular vote go from 40.4 per cent in 2011 to 52 per cent in 2025. It elected 14 candidates and formed a majority government. Dixon won his Copperbelt North riding with more than twice as many votes as his NDP opponent. (The Liberals did not run a candidate there.)

The incoming premier said that he and his caucus were confident that they would meet the challenges facing the people of the Yukon. Dixon said, “Today we inherit public finances that are stretched and thin, an economy that is one of the weakest in the country, and significant serious challenges facing the territory, whether it’s the housing crisis, the health-care crisis, or any number of other crises facing Yukoners.”

Dixon was sworn in as Yukon’s 12th premier on 22 November 2025. He is the first Yukon premier to be born in the territory.

Personal Life

Currie Dixon and his wife, Brittany, have two children together.

(See also Yukon; Premiers of Yukon; Commissioners of Yukon.)