SHOW US THE PLAN
NDP leader Todd Hardy says the Yukon’s premier is not taking the global economic slowdown and credit crunch seriously enough.
"With stock markets in turmoil, banks forecasting recession, consumer and investor confidence weakening, pension plans shrinking, commodity prices falling, many Yukoners are looking to their premier for leadership," Hardy says.
"Unfortunately, this premier refuses to admit we even have a problem. This worldwide economic meltdown is already causing real pain for people from every walk of life. Yet this government has no action plan and shows no sign it is even working on one."
The Yukon economy depends on three things: mineral extraction, tourism and federal transfer payments. But all three of these drivers of the economy will suffer as this recession deepens and expands.
"I’m glad Premier Fentie is meeting in Quebec this Monday with his provincial and territorial counterparts to discuss the economic crisis," Hardy adds. "But he also needs to meet with Yukoners if he hopes to help families, communities and businesses here weather this storm."
At the very least, the premier should provide Yukoners with a fiscal update so they can make informed decisions and choices based on the latest economic and financial information available. And he needs to do that right away.