Commissioner of Yukon moves into Whitehorse residence

A historic house in Whitehorse is being re-purposed as an office for the Commissioner of Yukon. 

Doug Phillips has served as Commissioner of Yukon since 2010. He says the building will be used for Commissioner's business and also public events. 

"I want it to become Yukoners' house," he says. "I want people to use it, to become involved." 

Phillips says he plans to host events in the house's yard. 

"Maybe something like 'heritage homes of Whitehorse' and have some speakers to talk about the heritage homes and have an outdoor event," he says. "Maybe seniors' tea or ice carving."

Refurbished log home

The commissioner's new office is a log building on Main Street called Taylor House. 

It was built in late 1930s as a Sears, Roebuck & Company catalogue design. 

The house plans originally called for brick, but they were substituted by logs during construction.

Phillips' new office features historic details such as the house's original outdoor gate leaded-glass doors found in storage through Yukon's Heritage Department.  

"They're back again. It's kind of neat to do that," says Phillips. 

The historic building required interior painting and refurbishing of the floor for its new use, paid for by the territorial government. The Commissioner's salary is paid by the federal government.   

Yukon's Commissioner is described as a symbolic head of state whose role includes reading a Speech from the Throne at the opening of each legislative session. The commissioner also provides official assent to bills passed in the Legislative Assembly. He often attends events dressed in a turn-of-the-century tuxedo with tails and a top hat.

A former residence for the Commissioner of Yukon was built in Dawson City at the turn of the century. It is now maintained as a Parks Canada historic site.

Phillips says the new permanent office in Whitehorse means "we now have a government house as they have in B.C., in Ontario and other places. We're similar to them now." 

Prime minister not impressed by former office 

The commissioner's office has previously been housed in Yukon government buildings and a seniors' home.

That last location, Phillips says, did not impress Prime Minister Stephen Harper. 

"I met the prime minister on the first day of my appointment," Phillips says.

"And when he asked where my office was and when I said I was in the corner of a seniors' home and he said 'really?' I walked out of that office and I thought he had a point. The Commissioner's office should be in a more dignified or significant place in the territory. This house is central to Whitehorse, it looks the part, and it just fit the role perfectly," he says.