Something stinks

in the forest

Open letter to Bryony McIntyre, manager lands dispositions,

I have been reading and hearing grumblings again about big game outfitters’ expectations to grab land on their concessions.

They wish to get land tenure where they have base camps, cabins, facilities and out-camps.

One outfitter desires 40 such spots. In January 2003 the media publicized this issue. The government assured us this would not happen without due process.

Where is the Land Application Review Committee and federal territorial lands advisory process?

Where is the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment process?

Who is making sure these requests are not in conflict with other interests, such as First Nations and trappers, or the greater public good?

Who is making sure these requests are following the same guidelines for building near freshwater bodies?

How were they allowed to build these camps and cabins in the first place?

Did they have permits?

I think not, as most of these camps are held in secrecy by the outfitter.

Not one government branch has taken the proper steps to locate and secure these facilities.

If a regular citizen were to build without permits, the constructions would be torn down.

Why do we treat these outfitters as special citizens on our ground?

Or a better question: Why is a regular citizen in the Yukon treated as second rate?

Many of the outfitters and their workers do not even really live in the Yukon. They have box numbers and shell companies to make it appear as local ownership.

As it stands, there are more than 20 registered outfitting areas in the territory.

How much land do we want these speculators to tied up?

Roger Rondeau

Whitehorse