BodyDitch the ‘eight principles’
Open letter to Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski and his government:
This government is totally unbelievable. Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? You should be. Lies like that are unforgiveable.
For those of us who believed we had a semi-reasonable agreement regarding the Peel River watershed (a reasonable agreement would have been to leave the whole area alone), your ad in the newspapers about “eight principles” and balance was a great surprise and utter crap.
It said nothing. We were lied to. We really shouldn’t be surprised as it seems that most conservative governments lie a lot and we shouldn’t believe them.
No wonder you are not available to talk to the public, Mr. Pasloski! I’d be afraid and embarrassed too. It is not just you personally but all of your caucus who are responsible for this disaster-in-the-making. Anyone with any imagination can foresee what the Peel will be like in 100 years if your plan goes ahead. It’s not a pretty picture.
Money is a necessary evil but if you try to get it this way, you would be destroying something so immeasurably more valuable and important than dollars. All those whose icon is the dollar sign need to realize that there will be no need for governments or dollars once the land has been destroyed. Is that the future you want for your children and their children?
We humans have been loaned this part of the world to use and care for wisely. We have done a very poor job so far and ruined so much of it. It is heartbreaking. One road into the Peel is one road too many. Leave one of the last pristine places as it was meant to be. We, the Yukon people, can afford to do this. Cancel these “eight principles.”
Be brave, face us and listen to what we care about and what matters to us. Return to the original agreement that was worked out in good faith. Yukoners will think better of you all.
If you do not do this, you will continue to face enormous opposition from every thinking and caring person in the territory.
Jane McIntyre
Whitehorse/Body