Dennis Fentie clearly broke his promise to two Whitehorse-area First Nations when he put two prime lots on the city’s waterfront up for public tender without first engaging them in discussions to buy the land, says NDP leader Todd Hardy.
"The premier is guilty of a serious breach of trust, judging by the letters he wrote to Chief Ruth Massie of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council and Chief Rick Smith of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation," said Hardy. "He must call off the sale immediately and start negotiating with them in good faith."
In a letter sent to both chiefs on April 26, 2005, Fentie writes, "the Yukon government is prepared to discuss the various options available for these two properties, including the possible sale of these lots, with the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council, once the Canada Winter Games have been completed in 2007."
Fentie’s failure to deal fairly and squarely with Yukon First Nations is becoming a reoccurring theme of his government. His attitude and actions are responsible for creating needless friction and discord, as well as sparking several lawsuits.
Only if he cannot strike a deal with those two First Nations should Fentie put those lots back on the market, Hardy added. But this time he must make sure all other interested parties have the time they need to submit a bid and develop a plan to ensure Yukoners get the best deal possible.
Fentie’s rush to dispose of those lands was also criticized by at least one local private developer, he continued. To ensure transparency and accountability, the process needs to be seen as being open and fair.
"These lands do not belong to the premier," Hardy said. "They belong to all of us, and so should be developed in a way that benefits us all. But you do not do that by giving bidders a scant three weeks’ notice to raise such large sums of money and develop a plan."