As a Yukoner and a participant in the Peel River watershed plan, and a stakeholder, I am absolutely appalled and disgusted with the arrogance of ministers - both Brad Cathers and Currie Dixon - their lack of forthrightness and integrity to give First Nations, Yukoners and the planning commission what was so blatantly obvious after seven years of work - approval for the final draft.
It would appear that there is a reason for the Yukon government’s silence and noncommittal opinion pre-election. It had its own political agenda and was only letting the Peel River watershed commission do all its research, meetings, public consultation, etc., as a smokescreen but its own scheme was to evidently take none of the public opinion to heart.
Once again, I have lost faith in the sincerity of the government’s word, which is now much different than when it was campaigning and looking for votes and securing its own employment.
As a Yukoner, I am tired of being misled, not to mention the lack of respect as a major stakeholder. The Yukon public and the planning commission’s time and $6 million spent to date to develop this worthwhile plan for the territory as a whole is monumental. Industrial access and road development in one of the last intact environmental ecosystems of the world is totally unacceptable to me. I am in full support of the beliefs of First Nations, and from what I have witnessed in all of the community hearings, from the Yukon people’s position.
The planning commission that government allowed seven years of time and money has a final draft and it deserves its approval and respect. This government should show some integrity and not a unilateral decision to sell out to Outside interests for mining. Mining is not renewable, does not have longevity and leaves a permanent footprint and scar on the landscape. A sustainable and renewable economy for this area and the integrity of the ecosystem of air and water will last for the rest of time and this is what is important for human life and the people who will follow.
Alan Young
Midnight Sun Outfitting
Whitehorse