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City seeks answers from Yukon government

The City of Whitehorse plans on using the Association of Yukon Communities's upcoming annual general meeting to ask the territorial government some important questions.

The City of Whitehorse plans on using the Association of Yukon Communities’s upcoming annual general meeting to ask the territorial government some important questions.

Members of city council are drafting four resolutions that will be presented to AYC membership from May 12-15 in Watson Lake.

One of the resolutions encourages the Yukon government to develop and implement an electronics recycling program. Yukon consumers currently pay a surcharge on certain products, including beverage containers and tires, at the time of purchase.

Those extra fees help cover the costs of recycling those products. But there is no program in place to cover the costs of transporting and processing electronic waste out of the territory.

Another resolution calls for the Yukon government to provide more clarity when it comes to implementing a hotel tax.

In December, the territory’s Municipal Act underwent several changes, including amendments to the section on the powers of municipal governments to levy taxes and other fees.

But it remains unclear whether Yukon municipalities have the authority to charge a hotel tax under the amended act, according to the city’s administrative report.

“We’re not on a quest to introduce a hotel tax,” said councillor Dan Boyd at Monday evening’s meeting.

“We’re just seeking more clarity.”

Members of city council will vote on whether or not to present the resolutions at next week’s meeting.