Michael Hale has been named deputy minister for the Executive Council Office (ECO) and cabinet secretary, Premier Sandy Silver announced Wednesday.

Hale is moving from his role as deputy minister for the Department of Health and Social Services. There, he has been responsible for the development of the new public health authority Silver announced in 2022.

Effective immediately, Hale replaces the retiring Stephen Mills.

Over the past decade, Mills has worked in Aboriginal relations as a director and assistant deputy minister before being appointed as deputy minister of Energy, Mines and Resources in 2015. He has been deputy minister of the ECO since 2019.

“For the past four years, I have relied heavily on Stephen’s counsel and support as the deputy minister of the Executive Council Office and the cabinet secretary,” said Silver.

“Stephen exemplifies what it means to be a public servant, and I am grateful for his years of leadership and dedication. As a leader, he represented competence and broke down stereotypes.”

Silver, who will leave office on Saturday, said he wishs Hale “great success in his new role, and I am confident that his leadership experience in the public service and the private sector will make a positive difference in the lives of Yukoners.”

Deputy ministers, including presidents of government corporations, are the most senior public servants in the government.

They are responsible for the department or corporation’s budget, day-to-day operations and program development. They serve at the pleasure of the premier.

The ECO provides support to the premier and members of the Executive Council, also known as the cabinet.

This department is responsible for ensuring that strategic planning, policy development and public engagement are effective and coordinated across the government.

Hale moved to the Yukon more than 20 years ago, with a career that’s spanned the sectors of journalism, public service and the private sector.

He has held numerous leadership roles from chief operating officer for Northern Vision Development, to chief of staff to the premier, to vice-president of operations for the Yukon Housing Corp., to assistant deputy minister and chief negotiator for the Aboriginal Relations Division.

He has two sons, Maddox and Jonah, and a partner, Lacia – who remind him daily that work is only one part of life.

On Jan. 5, Silver has announced a leadership change for the Department of Finance and a term extension for the deputy minister of the Department of Justice.

Scott Thompson has announced his retirement as deputy minister for Finance.

Jessica Schultz has been appointed as acting deputy minister of Finance for one year, effective Feb. 17.

Silver also announced a three-month term extension for Jeff Ford as acting deputy minister for the Department of Justice, effective Jan. 15.

Recruitment efforts will commence shortly for the position of deputy minister of the Department of Justice.

“Jessica Schultz is a highly experienced leader, public servant and finance professional,” Silver said.

“I am confident that her expertise and diligence will be welcome in the department and at the senior leadership table.

“I would like to sincerely thank Scott Thompson for his leadership in the Department of Finance and all of the support that he provided in recent years.

“I wish him all of the best in his retirement,” Silver added. “It is well deserved.

Schultz has served with the government for nearly three decades.

She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Finance from her past work in various senior leadership roles across multiple departments.

“Schultz has considerable financial management expertise, and she has consistently provided leadership, mentoring and coaching to build financial capacity across the organization,” the government said in a statement.

She has held various senior management positions in the Departments of Community Services, the Executive Council Office, Economic Development and Tourism and Culture as well as Highways and Public Works.

Since 2019, she has served as the assistant deputy minister of the Management Board Secretariat within the Department Finance.