As we watch the evolution of political chaos in the United states of America, I can't help but draw comparisons with what is happening here in Canada, and more so the Yukon. Our current governments in both Canada and the Yukon are propped up by minorities. the Yukon government is becoming more authoritarian at an alarming rate. rather that a cooperative approach to resource management the Yukon government has chosen to move towards and enforcement-based regime. Things have gone too far, and a change in government will not likely make a big difference as new politicians will not rock the boat as they try to get their six years in for a juicy government pension.
Those of you who have gone through a permitting process involving YEASB, Yukon land-use, the Yukon Water Board, DFO, ECCC and others, will better understand what I am getting at. Various other branches of YG such as Heritage, Environment, Archaeological etc. will contest applications based not on science, but on biased whims. Even trying to get a quarry permit in an existing gravel pit is made difficult as YG prefers to monopolize.
Unjust interference in the application process will be encountered from start to finish. The aforementioned entities will consult with affected First Nations behind closed doors, which does not fit well with the concept of democracy, let alone transparency. I contend that most proponents have faced biased interjections on their applications. It seems that our governing bodies have forgotten who pays the taxes that pay their wages.
The Yukon government will soon be at the Cordilleran Roundup to promote our territory as a great place to come, but are not willing to fix the problems at hand. Public consultations are presented as honest and transparent, yet most of us know that YG has already decided and agenda based on private consultations. I strongly suggest that anonymous comments within the whole permitting process are not acceptable.
Due to the rapid encroachment of authoritarian rule, it is time for like-minded people to prepare to fight for their democratic rights. Taking any type of government entity to court would be too costly and time consuming for most individuals to undertake. My thought is to collect evidence of unjust interference put forward by employees of all formerly mentioned licensing bodies. It would be far easier to press charges of malfeasance against an individual or alternately list these people and their assumed offence in the public domain (public shaming).
As a last resort, this could help bring about change, but make sure of your facts along with supporting evidence.
Brad MacKinnon
Haines Junction
