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Premier Darrell Pasloski

‘By the end of it, it was pretty toxic in there’

The fall session of the legislative assembly began just as the red-wave of Liberal party excitement and fanaticism had finished sweeping the country during the federal election.

By Aimee O'Connor on December 16, 2015

The fall session of the legislative assembly began just as the red-wave of Liberal party excitement and fanaticism had finished sweeping the country during the federal election.

For the first week of the sitting, opposition members honed in on what had been frequently addressed hot-topics in the territory during the federal election, including the Yukon government’s stance on the Peel land use plan and Bill S-6, the legislation that led to three First Nations filing a lawsuit against the federal government.

Behind both of those issues is the question of whether governments have been failing to properly consult First Nations before approving changes to legislation that could affect them.

Yesterday, the coalition that sued the Yukon government over the Peel land use plan announced it will ask the Supreme Court of Canada to hear an appeal of last month’s decision by the Yukon Court of Appeal.

“I think they’re looking for fairness and true consultation and respect of the final agreements that laid out land use planning for all Yukoners,” NDP MLA Jan Stick said Tuesday.

Despite starting the session on a contentious note in this regard, the government made one stride in redeeming itself when it passed amendments to the Oil and Gas Act.

When the bill was tabled in the first five sitting days, three First Nations chiefs wrote to the government expressing concerns over some of the changes.

By the time the bill made it to committee of the whole, Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Scott Kent made changes to the legislation that satisfied the concerns of the First Nations.

“Despite all of the manoeuvring, we saw unanimous support for those amendments,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said in an interview yesterday.

Liberal Leader Sandy Silver said Tuesday the First Nations really did their due diligence to have their concerns addressed.

“In the end, it worked out really well.”

Speaking for NDP Leader Liz Hanson, Stick said it was a good move on the government’s part to make the last-minute changes to the bill.

“Without that, we would have been against that particular piece of legislation.”

The government also brought a new act to the table in the house – a new and improved Land Titles Act.

Though it was billed to “modernize” the paper-based, Gold Rush-era legislation, new regulations to accompany the act change the process for registering First Nation settlement land.

It allows settlement land to be registered in the territory’s land titles office while safeguarding aboriginal title – and by doing so, it opens the doors for First Nations to develop their land and bring in substantial revenue.

The territory had been working with the Kwanlin Dün First Nation on this act, essentially to allow leasing of settlement land to citizens or companies for residential or commercial purposes.

As the largest landholder in Whitehorse, Kwanlin Dün could generate massive revenue from the Land Titles Act changes.

After it had in the works for about five years, Kwanlin Dün Chief Doris Bill was very pleased to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Another noteworthy aspect of the act, Pasloski said, is the fact that the Yukon might be the first jurisdiction in Canada to allow registration of settlement land while safeguarding aboriginal title.

MLAs also unanimously passed a few other pieces of legislation, including amendments to the Municipal Act, Elections Act, Education Act and the Travel for Medical Treatment Act.

Though the menu was light on new legislation, there was a smorgasbord of contentious topics for the opposition to bring to the table for questions and debate.

“There’s so much going on politically speaking,” Silver said.

“But as far as content goes, it was a lot of housekeeping.”

He added that the smaller amount of legislation brought in freed up the space to talk more about other issues.

Despite the push-back from the opposition and Yukoners themselves on the continuing care facility planned for Whistle Bend, the Yukon Party government confirmed that the project will be a reality by 2018.

When NDP Health critic Stick brought the issue to debate, the main argument was that the government plowed ahead without asking Yukoners what they wanted.

Stick used access-to-information documents that show the government began asking seniors’ groups and First Nations last August whether members were interested in “hearing more about the planning of the facility.” As Stick argued, this was simply information sharing – and it was too little, too late.

“I would have liked to see some options,” she said Tuesday. “I don’t think the government did due diligence on that.”

Both Pasloski and Health and Social Services Minister Mike Nixon maintained that there is a “desperate” need for the facility expressed by local medical professionals – backed up by two needs assessments and a business case study the government had conducted.

“They say, ‘Yes, nurses and doctors want this.’ Well, of course they do, because they don’t want to see people taking up beds in the hospital,” Stick said.

But Pasloski lashed out at both opposition parties, accusing them of wanting to cancel the project altogether.

“It’s the frustration of them not understanding what this is,” he said yesterday.

“I’m really disappointed that they’ve sort of put partisan politics in front of something that everybody acknowledges is very real and very much needed.”

The cabinet was on the defence for several other hot-button issues this session.

Silver put forward a motion seeking an update to the promised francophone high school. Education Minister Doug Graham told him the government had sound reasons to continue its quiet planning with the francophone school board.

Public discussion of the two parties’ issues, Graham said, increases ownership of comments and results in potential tension and failure of negotiations.

For the time being, the government and the school board will continue talks in the joint settlement committee they created last August – and any decisions on a future trial have been put on hold until April of next year.

Meanwhile, the NDP continually questioned the government for answers regarding a project at the Whitehorse airport from 2014 that may need a substantial makeover.

The story that was heard in the legislature was that at the start of the airport apron renovation, the contractor, Norcope Construction Group, identified potential issues with concrete sinking due to soil moisture freezing and thawing – and after informing the government about potential issues, the contractor was told to proceed with the project.

The government argued that the problem with the apron work was with the concrete that the contractor was using – in that it was not up to the standards laid out in the contract.

Now, the bonding company is involved to try to help the government find a solution to the now-cracked airport apron.

The issue was left with the NDP pointing the finger at the government for having to pay for potential repairs – and the government pointing to the contractor to shell out the cash.

Adding to the back-and-forth on issues were concerns raised about healthcare providers in the territory.

The opposition posed questions about a territory-wide lack of psychiatrists, dietitians and community nurses – contributing to provider burnout and nation-wide job retention issues.

In a positive turnaround, the government and its employees’ union started to come up with solutions to solve the community nursing staffing issue.

In mid-November, the parties announced an amendment will be made to the collective agreement allowing permanent, part-time rotational positions for primary health care nurses – meant to address staffing difficulties.

Yukon Employees’ Union president Steve Geick noted the amendment was “a really good first step” at the time.

More good steps were taken with the unanimous passage of a government motion urging collaboration between First Nations and the territorial government to implement the recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report.

More recently, a motion to make National Aboriginal Day a statutory holiday was deliberated in the house.

NDP MLA Kevin Barr presented the house with a 500-signature petition to make the holiday statutory by 2016, as a move to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Métis heritage, diverse cultures and contributions throughout history.

Thirteen out of Yukon’s 14 First Nations were supportive of Barr’s motion – but the original intent to establish the holiday by June 21, 2016 didn’t make it past the cabinet.

Community Services Minister Currie Dixon noted that amendments to existing legislation would have to be made, while at a cost to small business owners.

Because of this, Dixon suggested the motion be amended to first carry out consultation with stakeholders before considering legislative change.

The alteration, he said, shows a path forward on the idea, while respecting the obligation to consult first.

The NDP is still pleased with the motion’s passage, even with the amendments.

“It wasn’t a complete denial of it,” Stick said.

But Silver has doubts the motion will gain momentum.

“The way they amended it kind of absolves them from this next year, so it’s going to be left to the next government,” he said.

With a territorial election looming, Silver said there’s pressure in the legislature that’s building as the election date draws nearer.

“By the end of it, it was pretty toxic in there,” he said.

In the beginning of the fall sitting, Pasloski boasted that the government has completed nearly all of the work laid out in their 2011 election platform.

“It’s either been done, or it’s being done as we speak,” he said yesterday.

With this in mind, Pasloski said it lets Yukoners know that the Yukon Party delivers on promises – and shows trust in the government when it comes to finances.

“To me, that’s kind of like him saying, ‘This is all we’ve got,’” Silver said.

Pasloski rejects that mindset, stating that the territory’s large capital budgets are because of the downturn in the economy.

“That throws money into the economy. It creates infrastructure and it creates jobs,” he said.

The spring session will see the government’s last annual budget in its mandate – which Stick and Silver both hinted would see an abundance of capital projects, or as Silver put it, a “last-ditch effort to save a crumbling government.”

For Stick, the concern with the big ticket capital items is how they will be paid for.

The opposition parties are preparing for a fight come next fall.

Several Yukoners have publicly stated their intent to run under the Liberal banner already.

Silver said Tuesday there’s been an influx of left- and right-wingers coming into the party with the intent of giving the party – dubbed as being less-partisan – a chance.

At a general assembly last January, Silver said the Yukon Liberals will open the door for people to put their names in to run.

Stick said the NDP will have its own convention in the new year.

“You can expect to hear from us,” she said. “We’ve been working towards this for the last four years.”

See commentaries.

Comments (9)

Up 9 Down 2

shipoffools on Dec 18, 2015 at 6:09 pm

They should move the Govt LA to the paddlewheeler.

Up 5 Down 10

Lost in the Yukon is truly lost on Dec 18, 2015 at 2:58 pm

When it comes to business and the facts.
Like a lot of very negative people.

Up 42 Down 18

Lost in the Yukon on Dec 17, 2015 at 2:31 pm

So what are the credentials of many of the YP Cabinet ... the Pharmacist did not create or build a business. He had a contract with Shoppers and was paid a salary by them. Shoppers provided all the capital. There was zero risk. In fact the only part of the operation he was directly responsible for was the dispensing of drugs.

In regards to the rest of the YP's Cabinet please post the extensive business experience each of them has ... what businesses did they create and build into something viable?
Could care less whether it is the Liberals or NDP that forms the next government ... ABYP

Up 46 Down 19

NDP truly lost in the Yukon. on Dec 17, 2015 at 12:41 pm

These statements help to make the point that NDP do not have a clue how to run government. From a fiscal point of view, what elected NDP member has managed anything more than a branch in government, or just their own bank account?

Up 31 Down 14

Larry lib on Dec 17, 2015 at 12:34 pm

Too Lost in the Yukon ( yes that was on purpose)
No, NDP want wasn't suggesting YP....it's obvious the Liberals are next up.
And for the record, commodity prices killed exploration and mining in the Yukon....though Darrell hasn't helped the industry put its big spin on things like they need to do.
We're too far from markets here so please all the big business folks who feel the Yukon could be so much more, follow Darrell out the door....and don't come back with your big arrogant ideas and inflate every price tag in the Yukon again.

Up 49 Down 18

Lost in the Yukon on Dec 16, 2015 at 7:57 pm

Dearest NDP want ... etc. So you would rather support the Pharmacist who has reduced an almost $80,000,000 surplus 4 years ago to close to $5,000,000, which means he has effectively been running huge deficits each year. You would rather support the Pharmacist who on his watch built hospitals without any assessment as to their need (Auditor General Report) which had huge cost overruns; squandered $6,000,000 before construction of the new high school even began and will see that project come in at close to $55,000,000 well over his $38,000,000 estimate; has developed "departmental plans" that can't be measured to see if they have accomplished anything; wants to spend over $250,000,000 on a small section of the Alaska Highway when the need is somewhat dubious; wants to spend in excess of $350,000,000 on a warehouse for old people placed in the middle of a desert; paid the Mountain View Golf Course how many millions of dollars for land that YG already owned (of course maybe it helps if you used to sit on the Board); created an environment where YG ends up in endless lawsuits because they don't respect Land Claims; has spent how many hundreds of thousands of dollars on the Peel because he couldn't be honest during the last election campaign as to his position; killed mining in the Yukon by creating an atmosphere of uncertainty; and the list can go on because it has always been a "my way or the highway" (need we mention Bill S-6).

Yes ... this is the type of Government we all want. You are correct the Pharmacist is a terrific fiscal manager and outstanding collaborator. Everyone is far better off with the Drugist at the helm.

Do you remember a guy named Steve? ABYP

Up 37 Down 12

June Jackson on Dec 16, 2015 at 7:39 pm

For comprehensive Yukon Part BS.. go here.
http://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/by-the-end-of-it-it-was-pretty-toxic-in-there

I don't think the Yukon Party can be saved. They have had 4 almost 5 years to present themselves as decent leaders and a rational, transparent government. What we got was a government who actually fights with the electorate...court cases, deception, dishonesty and a government with many secrets.

http://www.yukon-news.com/news/chamber-of-mines-seeks-to-reconcile-first-nations-with-government/
http://www.ylp.ca/tags/accountability
http://www.yukon-news.com/letters-opinions/here-we-go-again/
http://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/yukon-party-is-secretly-planning-for-fracking-ndp

I could print URL's all day, but at the end of it, they all make the same point. Yukon Party is not capable of governing the Yukon and I speak only for myself as usual, but I really want them out of office, sooner rather than later.

Up 43 Down 21

NDP want consultation but they don't want consultation on Dec 16, 2015 at 4:39 pm

There is not any substance to the NDP. They don't know what they want or where they are going, so how do Yukoners really trust them with a one point three billion dollar budget?
All they did before in power was create messes on saw mills, health care centers, bad developing planning on land and housing projects.

Up 69 Down 35

Lost in the Yukon on Dec 16, 2015 at 4:04 pm

The session was really defined by the Yukon Party refusing to answer any direct questions and simply reading from talking points prepared in advance whether they were relevant to the question or not.
The Pharmacist and his merry herd of Elves made it a complete waste of time and for that they should be ashamed.

ABYP

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