On Feb. 22, I attended the oil and gas open house meeting at the Yukon Transportation Museum and was informed that there were not going to be any group presentations, but a walk-around, one-on-one discussion. To say the least, I was very disappointed with this approach as it did not allow for group questions and answers, and we heard no group presentations from the experts on the positives and negatives of oil and gas drilling.
How are Yukoners going to collectively advise the Yukon Party government what their thoughts are on drilling for gas and oil along the specified postings as indicated on their maps?
From my perspective, we are no farther ahead in understanding what massive drilling along this corridor would do to the environment, road access, wildlife and the social impact on people.
As far as I am concerned, this is a smoke-and-mirrors game that the Pasloski government is playing with Yukoners. This Yukon Party government had already made the decision that there will be oil and gas drilling along this corridor and it really doesn’t matter what Yukoners think. The final decision for oil and gas drilling was made a long time ago, just like the final decision for the Peel planning outcome was made before the planning commission committee actually started its deliberations.
From my perspective, the Yukon Party government has lost credibility and has the attitude that Yukoners do not count, in its view.
What needs to be done by this government is that open and transparent meetings need to be held in the next month so Yukoners can understand the impact that oil and gas drilling is going to have on their day-to-day lives.
Yukoners need correct information and they need to have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers in a public forum. Yukon Party politicians need to be honest and transparent with Yukoners.
Do the right thing, Premier Pasloski, and ensure that public meetings are held so we can be informed and have our questions answered on oil and gas exploration.
Donald J. Roberts
Whitehorse