The Yukon Liberal Party has elected its new executive.

Ted Dean will remain as president, while Richard Johnson will take on the role of vice-president.

Rick Smith will be secretary and Bruce Demchuk will continue to serve as treasurer.

Linda Casson Hare, Mike Travill, Christie Richardson and David Laxton will be the party's directors.

'I think it's a good mix of new and old,' Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell said of the executive in an interview.

It isn't a very young executive, said Mitchell. However, he added, new faces are just as important and that in the end, parties generally have to go with who puts their names forward.

Approximately 40 people attended the Liberals' annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday. The event also saw 50 membership renewals.

The meeting presented the party with the option of conducting a leadership review following the Oct. 10, 2006 election, but the motion was defeated and Mitchell will continue to lead the Liberals uncontested.

The party also reviewed unresolved policy issues from the last meeting, which dealt with health and social services, Dean said in an interview.

The two questions focused on the party's stance on grandparents' rights and accessible, affordable after-school care for children aged eight to 12.

It wasn't a contentious meeting, said Dean, attracting the regular Liberal crowd.

Dean added the party members seem very upbeat and positive about the results of last fall's election and the improved standings of the Liberals.

'It feels great to be a Yukon Liberal in 2007,' Mitchell told the members attending the meeting at the Yukon Inn.

'Here we are, with a united party, a strong team of MLAs and the most dedicated, active party membership in the Yukon,' Mitchell stated in his address. 'From where I am standing right now, I can tell you the future looks even better.'

The election results, which saw the Liberals take five seats in the legislature, was a major step forward for the party, said Mitchell.

'We didn't reach our ultimate goal, but we did make major strides toward forming government in the not-too-distant future.'

Mitchell maintained the Liberals offer the best ideas for protecting health care, working with first nation governments and creating a sustainable economy that addresses the environment.

'I believe we can be a place that all Canadians look to as an example of high living standards and strong sustainable communities and leadership,' said Mitchell.

The purpose of the meeting was to chart the party's path for the next year, said Dean.

The party intends to review all policies to make sure they are still up-to-date and relevant and to make some of the constitutional amendments to address timing issues, he said.

The party will also be focusing on general fundraising and membership drives over 2007, he said.

'The AGM is a chance to take the momentum we've built over the past 12 months and parlay it into an even more vibrant, energized future,' Dean added.