GROWING ECONOMIC CRISIS CALLS FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
As the economic slowdown and credit crunch in the US spills over into Canada, NDP leader Todd Hardy is urging the Yukon government to call an emergency meeting of the territory’s top political leaders to discuss the financial crisis.
"The disturbing developments we are seeing in the US and elsewhere have the potential to undermine the economic security and stability of the Yukon," Hardy says. "So we need to explore ways to protect our governments, businesses and citizens from the possible impacts."
This meeting should include representatives from the Yukon’s territorial, aboriginal and municipal governments. And it needs to happen before the Yukon legislature resumes sitting.
Such a discussion would accomplish several things, Hardy adds.
"One, it will give us a forum to exchange information and ideas in a non-partisan environment. Two, it will help us develop some practical solutions to help soften the blow. And three, by showing investors and citizens we are willing to work together, we defuse fears and create confidence."
The Yukon legislature is not the best place to discuss a subject as complex or difficult as the current crisis, he continues. Exchanges there tend to be adversarial, when what we need now is constructive dialogue and forward thinking.
Hardy also plans to hold a public meeting within the next month to get input from ordinary Yukoners, as well as financial experts and political and business leaders, on what we need to do to weather this storm.
"This crisis calls for political leadership. We cannot simply sit back and watch as it takes its toll on jobs and savings. Finding solutions will require collaboration, co-operation and co-ordination among all levels of government, as well as every sector of our economy."