THE YUKON PARTY’S GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO
The NDP Caucus has learned that a major change around water inspections for mining projects
is ready for rubber-stamping at the Cabinet office.
“I have heard that the wholesale transfer of responsibility for inspecting water licenses for mining
projects is about to be transferred from the Department of Environment to the Department of
Energy, Mines and Resources,” says Yukon NDP Leader Liz Hanson.
“We’ve heard the rumours for a while, and we’ve asked questions of the Premier, the Minister of
Environment and the Minister of EMR. Never have they effectively explained the rationale behind
such a major policy change to the Yukon public”.
A move towards a one-stop inspections regime is favoured by the industry. The NDP Caucus
has a letter written by then EMR Minister Brad Cathers to Yukon Zinc Corporation acknowledging
and agreeing with the company’s preference for “streamlining processes to make them more
efficient”.
The NDP Caucus has been aware the Yukon Government was going down this road, and has
asked many questions in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. The Environment Minister has been
silent. And EMR Minister Rouble has minimized and muddied the waters on the issue by
essentially saying ‘what’s the big deal?’
But Yukon’s regulatory regime has been built on a division of responsibilities that leads to greater
oversight and accountability.
The Yukon Government owes the public an explanation of what they are doing and why. They
should not be allowed to get away with sliding an OIC under-the-door on the Friday before a
federal election. And they need to provide assurances to Yukoners that our precious water
resources are being adequately protected for future generations.
For more information, contact:
Premier Dennis Fentie 393-7053
Minister of Environment John Edzerza 667-5806
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Patrick Rouble 667-8644