NDP Calls Yukon Government Rejection of Peel Land Use Plan a Betrayal of Yukoners
Decision shows contempt for process, First Nation governments and all Yukoners
WHITEHORSE - The NDP Official Opposition today condemned the Yukon government for its rejection of the final recommended Peel Land Use Plan, calling it a betrayal of Yukoners. It is also a fundamental breach of the relationship between the Yukon and First Nation governments established by land claims and self-governance agreements.
“The rejection of the final recommended Peel Land Use Plan is the rejection of the collective efforts and wisdom of thousands of Yukoners who engaged in the process,” said Opposition Leader Liz Hanson. “It shows contempt for due process and First Nation Final Agreements. It’s a slap in the face to all Yukoners who contributed to the planning process over the previous eight years.”
In the 2011 territorial election, Premier Pasloski refused to say where he stood on the final recommended Peel Land Use Plan, arguing that further consultation with Yukoners was required before the government position could be disclosed. The government’s rejection of the plan this week, without any further consultation, shows that the Premier misled Yukoners.
“The Premier fed Yukoners the line that process required further public consultation before his position could be made known,” said Hanson. “Without any further consultation the plan has now been rejected. We’re at the end of a long process, and the government has decided it will no longer play by the long-established rules. It’s an insult to the First Nation governments and Yukoners who have engaged in this process in good faith.”
First Nation Final Agreements state that an objective of the land use planning process is: “to ensure that social, cultural, economic and environmental policies are applied to the management, protection and use of land, water, and resources in an integrated and coordinated manner so as to ensure Sustainable Development.”
The Yukon government’s redefined “principles” for land use planning are contrary to the agreed upon objectives of land use planning and do not mention sustainable development. They are also silent on tourism and recreational, cultural and traditional land uses in the Peel region.
“The Yukon government has broken its commitment to First Nation governments and all Yukoners by its rejection of the final Peel plan,” said Opposition Energy, Mines and Resources Critic Jim Tredger. “Land use uncertainty and conflict is a likely outcome of this irresponsible decision. It also undermines future land use planning processes. Why would First Nations and other Yukoners bother to engage when the government might again dismiss their opinions and efforts and redraw the process at the eleventh hour?”
Tredger, whose Mayo-Tatchun riding includes much of the Peel region, called on concerned Yukoners to make their voices heard.
“We know that the majority of Yukoners support the final recommended Peel Land Use Plan,” said Tredger. “We call on those Yukoners to contact the Premier, their MLAs and the media to express their support for the plan. It’s not too late for the government to do the right thing. Yukoners made their vision for the Peel clear but the Yukon Party government didn’t listen. The Yukon is not for sale to the highest bidder. Yukoners will be heard.”
The Yukon NDP is the only party that has remained firm in its support for the land use planning process and the final Peel plan.