Hon. David Laxton – Speaker
MLA - Porter Creek Centre
Yukon Party
David Laxton was elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the general election of October 11, 2011. He was elected as the 23rd Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly on December 1, 2011.
Mr. Laxton has lived in Whitehorse since moving to Yukon in 1998. During his time in Yukon, he has been employed by the federal and territorial governments doing geomatics work and website development. Prior to arriving in Yukon, he served 22 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, primarily with the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) and the Mapping and Charting Establishment. His military service included three United Nations postings, one in Egypt and two in Bosnia. He also carried out major survey work in the High Arctic and regional gravity surveys across Yukon.
Mr. Laxton is an active member of the community, having served as Chair of the Child Development Centre, Chair of the Whitehorse Housing Authority, various executive positions (including President) with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 254 (Whitehorse) and National Vice President (Western Arctic) of the Army Cadet League of Canada. He also served on the Executive of the B.C./Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion and is the only Yukoner to serve at that level.
Throughout Mr. Laxton’s years in Whitehorse, he has volunteered with many local organizations, including the Abbeyfield Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, Freedom Trails Therapeutic Riding Association and the New Chelsea Society. He also served as Master of Ceremonies for Remembrance Day ceremonies in Whitehorse on several occasions and as M.C. for the Yukon Commissioner’s New Year’s Day Levee.
Mr. Laxton lives in Porter Creek with his wife Leslie Goring. He has two grown children, Cheryl and Aron, and two grandsons.
