During the transition from the Liberals to the Yukon Party government in 2002, Dennis Fentie was overheard telling one of his future cabinet ministers, “We have to find a way to sell this piece of shit.”
He was referring to how to market the Yukon as a tourist destination.
That comment speaks volumes about our premier’s attitude toward the territory he is supposed to be leading. It is also very instructive in understanding his secretive ploy to sell off the Yukon Energy Corporation to the Alberta conglomerate ATCO.
I won’t mince words: in my opinion, Fentie is a dangerous man.
His plan to privatize Yukon Energy is based solely on right-wing ideology, not on what is best for Yukoners.
Anyone familiar with jurisdictions such as Britain, Ontario, British Columbia and the United States knows the disastrous effects of privatization and deregulation on the public good.
At a time when energy policy and the very future of our planet are inextricably linked, we cannot afford Fentie’s reckless gamble on Reagan-esque free-market solutions.
I have never been a fan of Willard Phelps, but on this issue he is absolutely right. Yukoners should not be complacent or apathetic.
In six years of working with Fentie on a daily basis, I was frequently alarmed by his angry intolerance of anyone who disagreed with him. In my experience, he is a bully and a despot who does not understand or respect the democratic process or the best interests of the territory.
I do not trust him and I do not believe other Yukoners should, either.
Ken Bolton
Whitehorse
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