NDP Opposition calls for government action on land use planning
Land use certainty good for the economy, the environment and communities
WHITEHORSE - The NDP Official Opposition today called on the Yukon government to make land use planning a top priority. The NDP statement coincides with the last day of the Mineral Exploration Roundup in Vancouver that has brought much attention to current and future natural resource extraction activities in the Yukon.
“Land use planning brings land use certainty,” said Jim Tredger, Opposition Critic for Energy, Mines and Resources and NDP MLA for Mayo-Tatchun. “And land use certainty is critical to economic certainty. The Yukon government needs to show leadership and work with Yukoners in an up front manner and advance land use planning in good faith.”
Kate White, Opposition Critic for the Environment and NDP MLA for Takhini-Kopper King, spoke about the potential for land use planning to bring communities together and ensure environmental concerns are addressed.
“Land use planning allows Yukoners to find balance among competing values,” said White. “We’ve heard much talk this week about the value of resource extraction activity to our economy. We haven’t heard as much about other values many Yukoners hold dear, like responsible environmental stewardship and respecting traditional land use. Land use planning is an opportunity for Yukoners to bring those values to the fore.”
Tredger singled out the Peel watershed planning process as an example of government foot-dragging.
“For many months now, Yukoners have called on the government to be open and transparent on its position on the Peel,” said Tredger. “We know that the four affected First Nations and the majority of Yukoners support the final plan of the Peel Watershed Planning Commission. The government’s delay creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust; such an atmosphere undermines the collaborative process.”
Speaking from the Roundup in Vancouver, NDP Opposition Leader Liz Hanson said that mineral exploration and extraction companies have told her land use certainty is also in their best interests.
“While their opinions vary on specific land use plans and processes, I’ve heard from various players in the mining industry this week who believe land use certainty is good for business,” said Hanson. “Land use certainty supports a healthier investment climate to the benefit of companies doing business here and the communities that depend on resource extraction industries.”