Geraldine Van Bibber facts for kids

Geraldine Van Bibber is a Canadian politician born on July 3, 1951. She represents the area of Porter Creek North in the Yukon as a member of the Yukon Party. She was first elected in the 2016 Yukon election.

Before becoming a politician, Van Bibber served as the commissioner of Yukon from 2005 to 2010. This role is like a representative of the King or Queen in the territory. She is also a member of the Gwichʼin First Nation. She has also been the Chancellor of Yukon College, which is a top leader for the college.

Before her public service, Van Bibber worked for the Yukon Department of Finance. She also helped create the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association. This group helps share the culture and traditions of First Nations people with visitors. She was re-elected in the 2021 Yukon general election.

Geraldine Van Bibber's Political Journey

Geraldine Van Bibber decided to run for a seat in the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 2016. She aimed to represent Porter Creek North for the Yukon Party. This area was known to be a strong supporter of her party. The previous representative, Doug Graham, had decided to retire.

It was quite unusual for a former Commissioner to run for an elected political job. This is because the Commissioner's role is usually seen as neutral, not tied to any political party. However, Van Bibber was not the first Commissioner in Yukon to do this. She was already working as a Senior Advisor to the Premier at the time. She won the election on November 7, 2016.

Currently, Van Bibber is part of important groups in the Yukon Legislature. She serves on the Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments. She is also on the Standing Committee on Appointments to Major Government Boards and Committees. She helps keep an eye on how the government runs.

She also acts as a critic for her party on several topics. This means she questions and reviews the work of different government departments. These include the Department of Education, Aboriginal relations, and the Department of Tourism and Culture. As of September 2024, she is the Official Opposition critic for Economic Development, Tourism and Culture. She also reviews the Yukon Energy Corporation and the Yukon Development Corporation.

Awards and Recognition

Geraldine Van Bibber has received several important awards for her work. In 2006, she was made a Commander of the Order of St. John. This is an international charity that promotes health and humanitarian aid.

In 2016, she received the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest civilian honours a Canadian can receive. She was recognized for helping make Yukon a popular travel spot. She did this by organizing its tourism industry. She also helped people learn more about the unique cultures of the Indigenous peoples there.

Van Bibber also received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. This medal celebrates Canadians who have made important contributions to their communities.

Election Results

Geraldine Van Bibber has successfully run in two general elections. Here are the results from her elections:

2021 Election Results

2016 Election Results