Comptrollers 1932 to 1936
With the Great Depression in full swing and the major Mayo region mines shutting down, further cuts were made to the Yukon Administration. These cuts included the Gold Commissioner's position. The responsibilities of the position were assigned to the Comptroller, the new Chief Executive Officer of Yukon.
George Allan Jeckell
Comptroller from June 30, 1932 to December 2, 1936 (appointed at the age of 52)
Controller from December 3, 1936 to September 20, 1947 (title changed to reflect his greater responsibility over government operations in the territory.)
George Allan Jeckell was born on July 25, 1880 in Exeter, Ontario. Jeckell had been teaching in Dawson since 1902 and started the move into administration positions in 1919. Jeckell managed a meagre territorial budget during the depression and refused to allow the council to pass bills that would allow Yukoners to not behave fiscally responsibly as the country prepared for WWII. Controller Jeckell and his small staff managed territorial programs from Dawson City where three Yukon Council members met for a few days once a year to pass a budget and ordinances. Jeckell created special hunting rights for US soldiers working the highway in 1942. In April 1946, Jeckell took part in a dinner for 200 people for the handing over of the Canadian highway section of the Alaska Highway and facilities to the Canadian government. During his time in the position, there were big construction projects such as the Canol Project, the Refinery in Whitehorse, the Pipeline to Skagway and the Alaska Highway. Upon his retirement, he received the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his long career in Yukon. Jeckell died on May 30, 1950 in Seattle, Washington.
An Order-in-Council transfers the power of the Gold Commissioner to the Office of the Comptroller on June 30, 1932. The Office of the Commissioner is officially abolished on February 20, 1934 because of worsening economic climate.
A considerable reorganization of the federal government took place and an Order-in-Council changes the title of the Yukon Chief Executive Officer from Comptroller to Controller on December 3, 1936.