A wilderness encounter

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to read many editorials, news articles and letters regarding the ongoing controversy over the land-tenure application put forth by Lone Wolf Outfitters.

I, like many other citizens, First Nation governments and organizations, have several concerns if this current government sanctions Lone Wolf Outfitter’s application.

It is not within the scope of this letter to list my many concerns; however, I would like to share an experience I had with Lone Wolf Outfitting a number of years ago when I was working during the summer in the vicinity of Quiet Lake and Big Salmon River.

One of the responsibilities of my job was to survey the many fisher folk, locals and tourists regarding their fishing practices. This survey is one tool used to monitor the fish stocks to ensure  conservation and sustainability of the stocks.

Lone Wolf Outfitters arrived at the boat launch one day and began to load supplies into their boat. I approached the individual, who appeared to be in charge of the crew.

I introduced myself, explained what I was doing and why and asked if he could provide answers to the survey questions.

I was told, “We fish when we want. And one day we will own all the land around here.”

I responded: “Well, that is not possible; you can only lease concessions for your business and this land is not for sale.”

The response to my comment was, “No, one day we will own all the land around here.”

His crew was listening to the conversation and there was an exchange of arrogant smiles between them and their boss.

Here we are several years later. It seems very apparent to me that, through its land application, Lone Wolf Outfitters is doing exactly what its representatives advised me it would do.

All of the other outfitters are obviously waiting to see what the final decision will be with regards to the matter, as it will be a precedent-setting decision.

I have lived in the territory for more than two decades. There is nothing I, or any of my friends, would like more than to be able to go out into the wilderness and build ourselves a quaint little cabin where we can escape to occasionally enjoy the land, the quiet and the wildlife (as live entities rather than wall trophies with spiritless eyes).

However, we all know what the response of the government would be if we were to do this.

Why should the response to Lone Wolf Outfitters be any different?

E. Spenzer

Whitehorse

Unions set straight

Open letter to Rick Grant, Public Service Alliance of Canada:

I disagree with you that hiring replacement workers should be illegal.

I do so on this basis: unions are not always in the right.

There needs to be a counterbalance available.

Disruption works both ways. Workers lose money, but so do employers.

A lot of it.

Furthermore, employers take all the risk: perishable items, rising costs of production, accidents and more.

The town of Tungsten no longer exists because metal prices fell and the union demanded a raise. They didn’t hire replacement workers; they just shut down.

Then there was Computergate.

YTG had the audacity to fire employees who were downloading pornography.

I wrote then-Yukon Employees’ Union president Dave Hobbis and suggested it could solve the problem if the union provided a couple of dozen computers so these people could download pornography during union meetings instead of at work.

He never wrote me back.

Further, as long as unions butt into people’s lives morally, they need to be held in check.

PSAC has decided that homosexuality is good, Israel is bad and Christians are bad.

A union member can deliver flyers that push homosexuality, but not that disagree with it.

Liquor stores are not allowed to stock wines from Israel.

Rick Grant, you would be much more welcome if you tried to get minimum wage raised.

I work for more than minimum wage, but would gladly work for what your people turn down.

Oh, by the way, you are not the only one who can name-call. You call me a scab. I can call you a goldbricker.

I would be interested to find out which of us works harder for our wages.

Dale Worsfold

Watson Lake