Role Politician Name David Laxton | ||
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Building a Foundation for Success - LSU Alumnus David Laxton
David Laxton is a Canadian politician, who was elected to in the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the 2011 election. He served as the 10th Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly and represented the electoral district of Porter Creek Centre on behalf of the Yukon Party until his resignation from caucus in mid-2016.
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Political career
Laxton originally ran under the Liberal banner in the 2006 Yukon election in the riding of Porter Creek Centre, but was defeated by incumbent Yukon Party Cabinet minister Archie Lang. Following Lang's retirement, Laxton opted to run for the Yukon Party nomination in that riding for the 2011 Yukon election and was successful in his second election attempt.
Laxton was sworn in as the 10th Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly on December 5, 2011. He served in that capacity until his sudden resignation as Speaker on May 10, 2016, when it was revealed that he was the subject of a sexual harassment allegation. He was also ejected from the Yukon Party and barred from seeking its nomination in the 2016 election, despite already having won the party's nomination. He sat as an Independent in the final few months of the 33rd Legislative Assembly and did not seek re-election later that year.
Early life
Laxton is a 22-year veteran of Canadian Forces - Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) - and served as a United Nations peacekeeper in three tours overseas (one in Egypt and two in Bosnia). In 2009, he received commendation from the federal Minister of Veterans Affairs for his role in commemorating the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers overseas. He is active in the Royal Canadian Legion and the Canadian Army Cadets.
He is married with two children.