Congratulations to Premier Dennis Fentie.
And to Archie Lang. Jim Kenyon. Ted Staffen. Elaine Taylor. Glenn Hart. Brad Cathers. Patrick Rouble.
They ran a strong, clean election campaign, and were re-elected.
The citizens of the Yukon weighed their options. And, after that consideration, they supported the Yukon Party for a second term.
The public handed it a clear majority — 10 seats of 18.
“The results, I think, are clear,” said Fentie.
Indeed.
It was a tough job interview. Fentie and his crew passed.
And they deserve the credit that’s owed.
In his victory speech, Fentie pledged to diversify the economy, to build the private sector and encourage investment.
In his first mandate, the Fentie government primed the pump. Now, beginning his second, Fentie is signaling that the government spending will taper off.
“We are maintaining money in the bank and we are keeping in reserve Yukon’s future,” he said.
“Our intention is not to spend more than we take in.”
Still, he maintains support for an integrated primary health-care facility in Whitehorse, and plans to bolster program spending on children with severe disabilities.
And a cold research and climate change facility will be built, he said.
The party has also pledged better land-disposition rules.
They are all solid goals. And they are clearly supported by the public.
We look forward to seeing them laid out in greater detail. (RM)
NATIONAL
When it comes to clean air,
there’s no time for talk
Stephen Harper is going to make the air cleaner by passing a “holistic” Clean Air Act.
The new law’s regulations will be hammered out through consultations with industry.
New Democrat Jack Layton had the best line.
“What he has told Canadians to do with this Clean Air Act is to hold their breath,” said Layton.
Harper’s announcement promises a solution to the nation’s growing smog problems.
But it does nothing concrete to solve it.
Not for years. Because Harper has simply decided to hold the course until 2010, when his promised stricter air-quality regime kicks in.
That’s a long way off.
And it will only happen after a deal is struck with industry.
So, despite all the buzz, the Clean Air Act is a tad wispy.
The former Liberal government failed to implement the measure it needed to meet its Kyoto targets.
The Conservatives have promised to do better.
Instead, they have delivered a plan to consult.
It isn’t enough.
The air and climate worsens every year.
The time for talk is over.
It’s time to act. (RM)