Yukon NDP Demands End to Deceptive Peel Advertising Campaign
Pasloski hid agenda on Peel, now trying to trick Yukoners with their own money
WHITEHORSE - The Yukon NDP Opposition today demanded an end to the Pasloski government’s taxpayer-funded advertising campaign on the Peel Watershed.
Last week the Yukon Party government revealed its hidden agenda to reject the Final Recommended Plan of the Peel Watershed Planning Commission. Days later it launched a series of misleading newspaper ads to sell its position.
“We recently learned the Pasloski government hid its agenda on the Peel,” said Jim Tredger, NDP Energy, Mines and Resources Critic. “Yukoners made their opinions on the Peel known through the land use planning process, and the Yukon Party has thrown those opinions in the garbage. To add insult to injury, Premier Pasloski and his government are now trying to trick Yukoners with a wasteful, taxpayer-funded advertising campaign. This deception must stop.”
The ads promoting the government’s new ultimatum for land use planning in the Peel use vague and misleading language that hides their true intent.
“The government is using words like “balance” and “common ground” to sell its one-sided pro-development agenda for the Peel,” said Kate White, NDP Environment Critic. “The irony is that the final plan rejected by the Pasloski government was balanced and found common ground. Yukoners won’t be fooled by this government’s doublespeak and political spin.”
Yukon New Democrat MLAs have been firm in their support of the land use planning process that led to the final recommended Peel plan. Polls have shown that a majority of Yukoners also support that plan.
“If the government thinks Yukoners are going to quietly accept this betrayal, they’ve got another thing coming,” said Tredger. “We’re going to join together with concerned residents, outfitters, tourism operators, First Nation governments and community organizations to fight to protect the Peel. We’re listening to Yukoners, and we can be counted on to act.”