Wade Istchenko - MLA Kluane

Contact:
[email protected]
(867) 393-7104

Wade Istchenko was first elected as the MLA for Kluane in the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the general election of 2011. He was re-elected on November 7, 2016, and again on April 12, 2021. 

He currently serves as the Official Opposition critic for the Environment, Housing and Lot Development - Rural, Rural Services, and Cost of Living.

His previous experience includes serving as the Minister for Environment and Highways and Public Works. 

Mr. Istchenko was born in Whitehorse and raised in Haines Junction. He attended St. Elias Community School and, after graduating in 1984, joined the Canadian Armed Forces. There, he completed training in various locations across Canada and served with NATO forces in Germany for three years. He remains a proud Canadian Rangers and the Royal Canadian Legion member and has 27 years of military service.

Before entering the public service, he had been running an outdoor adventure company, Kluane Ridin’ Adventure Tours.

Mr. Istchenko has served in various capacities in his community, including as President and Vice President of the St. Elias Lions Club, President of the St. Elias Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Alsek Renewable Resource Council. He was also appointed to the Kluane Park Management Board and was instrumental in developing the Alsek-Tatshenshini National Park.

As a Canadian Ranger Sergeant, Mr. Istchenko runs the Junior Canadian Ranger youth program in Haines Junction. He has also coached minor hockey for five years and is the founder and first President of the Haines Junction Snowmobile Club.

Mr. Istchenko’s grandmother, Hilda Watson, was an MLA for the electoral district of Kluane and the first woman to lead a political party in Canada.

He and his wife Donna have a son and a daughter, Joshua and Taryn.