SLIPPING IT UNDER THE DOOR IS NOT GOOD POLICY
The Yukon Party government has yet again slipped more major reports under the door – just
before the holidays - in the hopes of avoiding public scrutiny. This time it’s the Whitehorse
Housing Adequacy Report and Dimensions of Social Inclusion and Exclusion in Yukon 2010
report.
“These reports – one which details the woeful state of housing for the poor in Yukon – are
absolutely vital to combat poverty,” says Yukon NDP Leader Liz Hanson. “The Yukon Party’s
choice to release these reports now – just before the holidays – appears to be part of a worrying
trend: withhold and release information at such a time that political damage is minimized.”
These reports come days after the Yukon government issued a series of confusing and
misleading statements on the Peel Plan. And they withheld audits of performance under the
Environment Act and on contributions until after the legislature adjourned.
In mid-October, Mount Lorne MLA Steve Cardiff repeatedly questioned EMR Minister Patrick
Rouble about whether Yukon’s regulatory regime was strong enough to handle increasing mining
development. “The Minister dismissed all my concerns, while the government sat on an audit
which raised similar issues,” says Cardiff.
“This government will hold onto information - the public’s information - and release it when they
think the public is not paying attention,” says Hanson. “The Yukon people deserve better.”
“They think they can slip these major issues - on the Peel Watershed, on the regulatory regime
around mining, on poverty and housing – under the door.” says Hanson. “I’ve got news for Mr.
Fentie: these issues aren’t going away. They will define Yukon politics in 2011.”