The Yukon government is thinking about whether it should build commercial RV stalls, at the risk of competing with the private RV sector.

A discussion paper obtained and circulated by the NDP sets out the options.

They include redesignating existing campground sites as commercial RV stalls, and adding commercial stalls onto existing campground facilities.

It’s contemplating whether it should consider partnering with First Nations to develop new RV parks on existing public land or aboriginal settlement land, says the discussion paper.

It also speaks to purchasing private land for the development of additional RV parks, to be leased out and managed by a private operator.

The paper, dated May 12, 2015, points out that all options run the risk of being viewed as the Yukon government going into competition with the commercial RV sector.

NDP Environment critic Kate White said this morning if this is how the Yukon Party is living up to its platform commitment to expand campground opportunities for Yukoners, it’s a skewed way of going about it.

“What I think is this will benefit a lucky few, and it will leave the rest wrestling for spots,” she said.

White suggested if the government is even thinking about getting into the commercial RV business, there needs to be a public discussion now, before the government gets too tangled up in a plan that doesn’t make sense.

White insisted the government discussion paper is authentic.

In its introduction, the paper says: “The limited capacity of some existing campgrounds within two or three hours of Whitehorse has created some difficulties for Yukoners to find RV spaces.

Meanwhile, campgrounds beyond three hours of Whitehorse are less popular and reportedly underutilized.

“This paper sets out a number of lease/licence options which potentially increase RV capacity and provide opportunities for individuals to leave their RVs onsite for extended periods.”

Options set out in the paper include redesignating existing campground sites in underutilized campgrounds as commercial RV stalls available under a lease or licence.

There is the option of adding on commercial RV stalls to the busier campgrounds closer to Whitehorse which would take advantage of existing campground infrastructure such as roads and reduce development costs.

There’s an opportunity to partner with First Nations to build RV parks on existing government land or settlement land, resulting in a stronger relationship with First Nations and more economic opportunities.

The Yukon government could purchase private land or it could tender out existing government land specifically for the development of an RV park, says the discussion paper.

All options and associated costs would be influenced by several factors, including the level of service provided to the new stalls, whether there would be power provided, stations for emptying RV tanks and so on.

Going with a private land development would be influenced by the price of the land, and whether the government could find a party interested in leasing the business, the paper points out.

The paper indicates any government involvement in the development of more commercial RV stalls could be seen as government competing with the private RV sector.

Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Scott Kent was unavailable to the Star this morning to discuss the matter and his intentions.

When White raised the subject Wednesday in the legislature, Kent said the government is living up to its commitment to expand campground opportunities for Yukoners. He then cited a number of examples.

Kent, however, did not mention anything about the RV discussion.