NDP Official Opposition Expresses Support for Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Process
WHITEHORSE - Jim Tredger, Opposition Critic for Energy, Mines and Resources and NDP MLA for Mayo-Tatchun, today added his voice to the chorus of Yukoners expressing support for the environmental and socio-economic assessment process in the territory. Tredger was responding to news today that the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board (YESAB) reviewed more projects last year than ever before.
“The Yukon NDP Caucus has been consistent in its support of the important assessment work of YESAB,” said Tredger. “And we understand the benefits that increased development activity can bring to the Yukon. However, we are concerned that resources available to YESAB have not kept pace with this growth.”
News reports today stated that despite a twenty percent increase in project assessments last year over the previous year, YESAB has been provided with no additional staff and only minor budget increases. First Nations and other stakeholders are reported to have expressed concerns about difficulty keeping up with the increasing number of projects.
“We know that 2012 will be another busy year for natural resource extraction in the Yukon,” said Tredger. “We support a strong natural resource extraction industry, provided their activities are undertaken responsibly after thorough assessment and meaningful consultation with Yukoners.
In addition to considering scientific information, traditional knowledge and local knowledge, YESAB describes the participation of Yukoners in its assessments as “integral” to the process.
“We call on the federal and territorial governments to listen to the concerns of First Nations and other stakeholders and provide additional resources to YESAB so its important work can keep pace with the rate of growth, and Yukoners can have their say,” said Tredger. “Governments should be responsible environmental stewards on behalf of the people, and a strong assessment process is critical to that end.”