I read with interest the Yukon News editorial on April 8: “The crux of the coming election? Carbon pricing.” Indeed, Premier Darrell Pasloski believes, contrary to most of the rest of Canada and the world, that taxing a substance that is clearly causing severe ecological, cultural and social destruction is a bad idea.
I was in the public gallery of the legislature on April 7 and I watched our premier perform his childish histrionics presenting the Yukon budget. It was an embarrassment. Our premier needs to show a little leadership and do some homework.
The editor of the Yukon News eloquently described how a carbon tax could actually help people in the Yukon. Our territory is full of intelligent, forward-thinking people, has an ample supply of untapped renewable energy, and owns a crown electrical utility that is in need of progressive policy direction to reduce our use of fossil fuels in both the transportation and space heating sectors.
We finally have a federal government which is serious about climate change and First Nations who want to kick-start a low-carbon economy. Where is our territorial government?
I, for one, am tired of the waste associated with this ongoing leadership vacuum, and I have lost confidence in this government’s ability to make sound energy policy decisions. An election could not come too soon.
Sally Wright
Kluane Lake