Yukon NDP welcomes new chief of staff

November 30, 2023

Whitehorse, YT — The Yukon NDP welcomed a new chief of staff on Monday, Nov. 20.

Brontë Renwick-Shields, formerly the executive director (ED) at Whitehorse’s Bloodties Four Directions Centre, is taking over from outgoing chief of staff, Pascaline Etter.

Renwick-Shields’ work at Bloodties focused on advocacy for people who use drugs and advancing harm reduction strategies amid the Yukon’s opioid emergency. She played an integral part in establishing Whitehorse’s first and only supervised consumption site – a notable achievement under the Yukon NDP’s confidence and supply agreement (CASA) with the governing Liberals.

“I’ve seen the great work the NDP’s done through CASA, and I’m excited to move forward as we keep pushing for systemic changes to make life better for Yukoners,” Renwick-Shields said Monday.

Party leader Kate White underlined that Renwick-Shields’ wide breadth of experience serves the Yukon NDP’s core goals of tackling the territory’s burgeoning housing, health care, and education crises, as well as the Yukon’s opioid emergency.  

“Brontë brings a world of knowledge and understanding that we’re going to need in the days and months ahead. We’re so grateful to have her with us,” White said.

“She’s got big shoes to fill,” White added, acknowledging former chief of staff Etter’s many contributions to the party’s success under CASA.

“We’re the most effective Opposition Party in Canada, and we owe a lot of that to Pascaline,” White said.

The Yukon NDP thanks former chief of staff Etter for her many contributions. The party wishes her good luck and bon voyage as she sets off to explore the world.

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