YUKON PARTY GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO LISTEN TO OPPOSITION, PUBLIC
The Yukon Party government used its majority Wednesday to shut down debate on two important issues brought to the floor of the Yukon Legislature by the opposition parties, says New Democratic Party leader Liz Hanson.
“This government once again clearly demonstrated it is not interested in participating in intelligent, informed debates about issues that are of concern to large numbers of Yukoners,” Hanson adds.
She was referring to an NDP motion urging the territorial government to press Ottawa to accept recommendations made by the Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Criminal Justice Association and other stakeholder groups on Bill C-4, An Act to Amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act. These groups have called the proposed changes regressive, punitive and not in the public interest.
Hanson was also referring to a private member’s bill brought forward by the Liberal Party to protect whistleblowers from retribution for reporting wrongful or illegal actions committed by government or business. The government did not even allow Steve Cardiff, the NDP member of the all-party committee on whistleblower protection, to speak to the issue.
“Whistleblower legislation is a vital piece of democracy and it is unfortunate this government has shown such little interest in bringing this forward,” Cardiff says. “The Yukon Party appears to have forgotten its 2006 campaign promise to implement effective whistleblower legislation.”
“The Yukon Party government has a habit of disrespecting our cherished political institutions and processes,” Hanson adds. “It has consulted Yukoners on a wide range of issues but to date has failed to act on most of the recommendations it has received. More often then not, the public’s input is ignored or rejected.”
Cardiff also says the government has shown a total lack of respect for Yukon’s Child and Youth Advocate, who contributed to the Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates’ report on Bill C-4.
“At the very least, he should be called to appear as a witness in the Legislative Assembly to share his views on this very controversial legislation with all MLAs,” he adds.