Introduction
Kate White is a Canadian politician, who was elected to in the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the 2011 election. She represents the Whitehorse electoral district of Takhini-Kopper King as a member of the Yukon New Democratic Party caucus.
Political career
White first entered territorial politics in the 2006 election, when she ran in the riding of Porter Creek Centre for the Yukon New Democratic Party against incumbent Yukon Party Cabinet minister Archie Lang. She finished third.
In 2011, she ran again for the NDP in the newly created riding of Takhini-Kopper King, defeating former Whitehorse City Councillor Samson Hartland to win the riding. She was part of the Official Opposition in the 33rd Legislative Assembly. She was re-elected in 2016 election, defeating popular Yukon Olympian and Liberal candidate Jeane Lassen. She was one of just two New Democrat caucus members to be re-elected in that election, which was the party's worst showing since 1978.
White is currently New Democrat critic for the environment, housing, women's issues, francophone issues, and youth issues. She is widely regarded as a passionate advocate for the rights of mobile home owners within her riding, which contains three mobile home parks.
Personal life
Before entering politics, White earned a culinary diploma and a Red Seal in baking. She has also worked in the mining industry and as a life skills coach with women within the Yukon's correctional system.
She is bilingual in English and French.
Electoral record
2016 general election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | Kate White | 605 | 46.1% | +0.2% | |
| Liberal | Jeane Lassen | 478 | 36.4% | +14.0% | |
| Yukon Party | Vanessa Innes | 229 | 17.5% | -14.2% | |
| Total | 1312 | 100.0% | – | ||
2011 general election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | Kate White | 458 | 45.9% | – | |
| Yukon Party | Samson Hartland | 316 | 31.7% | – | |
| Liberal | Cherish Clarke | 224 | 22.4% | – | |
| Total | 998 | 100.0% | – | ||
2006 general election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon Party | Archie Lang | 344 | 47.3% | -4.3% | |
| Liberal | David Laxton | 224 | 30.8% | -9.5% | |
| NDP | Kate White | 159 | 21.9% | +13.8% | |
| Total | 727 | 100.0% | – | ||