Robert Bruce (July 12, 1948 – April 16, 2023)^[1] is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Vuntut Gwitchin in the Yukon Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2000. He was a member of the Yukon New Democratic Party.

He was born in Old Crow, Yukon and was educated in the Yukon. After a tied vote between Bruce and incumbent MLA Esau Schafer in the 1996 election, Bruce was chosen as the victor by his name being drawn out of a hat. A court order in 1997 overturned the results and mandated a new by-election in the riding, which Bruce won.^[2] He served as Speaker for the assembly from 1996 until his election was overturned in February 1997 and from April 14, 1997 until the assembly was dissolved in 2000.^[3] He did not stand for re-election in the 2000 election.

He was previously a councillor for the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, serving as chief from 1992 to 1996. Bruce worked for a time as a heavy equipment operator.

References

• O'Handley, Kathleen (1997). Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1997. ISBN 1-896413-43-9.