Bert Wybrew Explained

Bert Wybrew
Birth Date:1916 or 1917
Birth Place:Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Death Place:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Spouse:Betty
Occupation:businessman
Office:Mayor of Whitehorse, Yukon
Term Start:1968
Term End:1973
Predecessor:Howard Firth
Successor:Paul Lucier

Albert James Wybrew[1] (1916 or 1917 – October 16, 2004) was a Canadian politician, who served as mayor of Whitehorse, Yukon from 1968 to 1973.[2]

Prior to his election to the mayoralty, Wybrew was a business partner with Neil Colville in Whitehorse's cable television company, WHTV.[3] He first won the municipal election in December 1967,[4] campaigning on a platform of opposing the city's installation of parking meters.[5] However, on the basis of alleged voter irregularities, Justice John Parker overturned the election results on January 18, 1968, ordering a new by-election.[6] Wybrew won the by-election on March 14.[6]

In the 1969 election, Wybrew was returned by acclamation.[7] In 1970, Wybrew and territorial commissioner James Smith hosted the first visit to Yukon by Governor General Roland Michener and his wife Norah Michener.[8] He was reelected to a third two-year term as mayor in 1971.[9]

In 1973, governance of the city was temporarily transferred to a taxpayer advisory committee led by Joseph Oliver for part of the summer, after five of the city's six councillors resigned on July 9, 1973, in protest against a jurisdictional dispute with the Yukon Territorial Council,[10] leaving the council without a quorum to conduct city business; Smith also dismissed Wybrew as mayor during this committee governance period. Following a by-election on September 20, 1973, Wybrew returned to office and served until December.[11]

Wybrew did not run for reelection in December 1973, and was succeeded as mayor by Paul Lucier.[11] Wybrew died in Vancouver from cancer on October 16, 2004, at the age of 87, and was predeceased by his wife one month prior.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University that wasn't : the University of Canada North, 1970-1985. PDF. Graham, Amanda Jane Louise. 193. Knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca. March 7, 2022.
  2. "Self-government a lively topic: Colony' of Yukon looks like a province-- on paper, anyway". The Globe and Mail, October 2, 1973.
  3. "TV Saga: A Ranger Coach In Whitehorse". The Globe and Mail, January 4, 1963.
  4. http://www.hougengroup.com/yukon-history/historical-facts/year/1967/ "Yukon History: 1967"
  5. "Meter Go-Round in Yukon". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, November 30, 1968.
  6. http://www.hougengroup.com/yukon-history/historical-facts/year/1968/ "Yukon History: 1968"
  7. http://www.hougengroup.com/yukon-history/historical-facts/year/1969/ "Yukon History: 1969"
  8. "Micheners visit western arctic". Brandon Sun, August 13, 1970.
  9. http://www.hougengroup.com/yukon-history/historical-facts/year/1971/ "Yukon History: 1971"
  10. "Five out of six Whitehorse aldermen resign over harassment, court battle with Yukon". The Globe and Mail, July 11, 1973.
  11. http://www.hougengroup.com/yukonhistory/facts_year/1970s.aspx?year70=1973 Yukon History: 1973
  12. Former mayor won six elections in 1960s, '70s: [Final Edition]Tobin, Chuck.Whitehorse Star; Whitehorse, Y.T. [Whitehorse, Y.T]20 Oct 2004: 4.