Patricia Anne McMahon (February 2, 1945July 9, 2008) was a Canadian politician from the Northwest Territories, who was the first female mayor of Yellowknife."Former Yellowknife mayor Pat McMahon dies". CBC North, July 7, 2008. She served as mayor of the city from 1987 to 1994, becoming most noted for her national prominence during the Giant Mine labour dispute.David Staples and Greg Owens, "Murder in a Yellowknife mine?". Hamilton Spectator, September 29, 1992.
Career She served on Yellowknife City Council prior to her election to the mayoralty, and was an unsuccessful candidate in a 1984 by-election to represent Yellowknife South in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in 1984, losing to Ted Richard."Lawyer elected". Calgary Herald, October 17, 1984. She became mayor in 1987, making an early mark when she expressed concern about the potential environmental impacts of a proposed pulp mill on the Athabasca River.Laurie Sarkadi, "Yellowknife mayor doubts laws will be enforced". Edmonton Journal, December 1, 1989. In this era she also threatened to sue the federal government over its refusal to pay municipal taxes on indigenous-owned properties in the city,"Territories' cities threaten to sue Ottawa". Vancouver Sun, February 22, 1991. and expressed her concerns about the potential impact on Yellowknife's economic development resulting from the creation of Nunavut.Darcy Henton, "Yellowknife fears development 'halt'". Toronto Star, May 3, 1992.
She became a regular figure in Canadian news during the Giant Mine dispute, particularly after Roger Warren's 1992 bombing killed nine replacement workers.John Howse, "A city gripped by fear". Maclean's, October 4, 1993.
Toward the end of her time in office, she also promoted Yellowknife as a major continental air transport hub, arguing that the city was well-positioned to provide a gateway for transcontinental flights."Yellowknife sees itself as future continental air transporation hub". Edmonton Journal, March 10, 1994. She has also been credited as a key force behind the creation of the city's Frame Lake Trail recreational nature facility.
She did not run for another term as mayor in 1994, and was succeeded by David Lovell.John Cooper, "Yellowknife fever". CMA Management, October 2000.
In 1999 she ran again to represent Yellowknife South in the 1999 Northwest Territories general election, but lost by a margin of just 12 votes to Brendan Bell."Candidate keeps seat after N.W.T. recount". Whitehorse Star, December 14, 1999.
Death She died on July 9, 2008. Following her death, a memorial gathering was held on the Frame Lake Trail on July 24."Memorial pays tribute to former Yellowknife mayor McMahon". CBC North, July 24, 2008.
The Frame Lake Trail was also subsequently renamed the Pat McMahon Frame Lake Trail in her honour,Bruce Hewlko, "Watch out for skiers and snowshoers on trails". Yellowknifer, January 15, 2016. and a scholarship was set up in her name to assist women from Yellowknife in pursuing postsecondary education in tourism, public administration or political science.Derek Neary, "$45,000 in scholarships up for grabs from Yk Community Foundation"]. News/North, March 6, 2017.
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