Yukon’s self-governing First Nations have invited the mining industry to a meeting this week, to coincide with the Mineral Exploration Roundup conference in Vancouver.
“Our leaders are hosting this event to promote awareness that we are open to mining and exploration opportunities in Yukon,” said Chief Eric Fairclough of the Little/Salmon Carmacks First Nation in a news release. “We believe it is important to create and strengthen relationships and work with industry and government in order to move forward with responsible development for all Yukoners.”
The First Nations also plan to update industry representatives on the federal government’s planned amendments to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, which are currently before a parliamentary committee.
“Yukon First Nation governments are disappointed and frustrated that our efforts to resolve our concerns with Canada about Bill S-6 have been ignored,” said Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Ruth Massie in a news release. “We maintain that Bill S-6 should not be passed as written and that our concerns can be resolved with good government-to-government-to-government discussions to ensure the certainty that everyone in Yukon is seeking.”
The event will take place Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 5-7 p.m. at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver.
Yukon government politicians are in Vancouver for the conference this week, too.
Premier Darrell Pasloski, Mines Minister Scott Kent, Economic Development Minister Stacey Hassard and Environment Minister Wade Istchenko will all be on hand to hobnob with the miners.
“The investment potential in Yukon remains very strong,” said Hassard in a news release. “We are proud to support the companies that do business in Yukon and we will continue to expand our reach to the global audience.”
Contact Jacqueline Ronson at jronson@yukon-news.com