Whitehorse Daily Star

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Larry Bagnell

MP’s announcement fails to impress adversaries

Not all were thrilled to hear Yukon MP Ryan Leef’s announcement Monday

By Aimee O'Connor on July 28, 2015

Not all were thrilled to hear Yukon MP Ryan Leef’s announcement Monday that the federal government is putting nearly $14 million into upgrading several Yukon historic sites and national parks.

“It’s great that they’re investing in much-needed repairs,” former Yukon Liberal MP Larry Bagnell told the Star today.

“But these are buildings they own and are responsible for anyways.”

Bagnell said Leef’s “announcement” seemed more akin to damage control after major cuts to Parks Canada in 2012.

That year, the federal government slashed $29 million from Parks Canada’s $631 million budget. The move wiped out more than a quarter of Parks Canada employees in the Yukon.

The territory’s Liberal leader, Sandy Silver, called it “less of a news announcement and more of a catch-up.”

“It’s work that is necessary and in their mandate,” Silver said in an interview this morning.

Another challenger to Leef in the coming federal election, NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson, believes the announcement was too little too late.

“Ryan Leef has had four years to convince the government to invest more in Parks Canada,” Atkinson said in a statement.

“It’s clear that Ryan Leef is in full pre-election spending mode.

“Their track record of cuts to science and their shameful environmental inaction speak for themselves.

“His Conservative Party has literally been sending people cheques in the mail – taxable money, I might add – in a bid to win their support this fall,” Atkinson said.

A born-and-raised Dawson resident takes issue with a different aspect to the Parks Canada “revitalization.”

The buildings getting the government money are all classified as “Level I” cultural resources, Greg Hakonson told the Star.

Parks Canada classifies cultural resources as Level I if they have national historical significance, and Level II if they have “other heritage values.”

In Dawson, Level II structures include the Bonanza Hotel or the “kissing buildings” on Thirrd Avenue.

“Most of those are literally rotting into the ground,” Hakonson said.

“My goal was to try and save these Level II buildings.”

A report conducted by Parks Canada in 2011 stated that 57 per cent of Level I buildings and structures are in fair condition, as opposed to 35 per cent of Level II buildings and structures.

After putting forth a proposal to Parks Canada to restore Billy Bigg’s about three years ago, Hakonson said, he has never received a response as to whether the government agency would be willing to open up government buildings to a private sector contractor.

He wrote to Leef in May, inquiring what his position on the Level II buildings is. After following up in early June, and again this week, he says he has not yet received a response.

“My interest is heritage. Once we lose the heritage, it’s gone.”

The federal government will put $13.7 million into revitalizing aging buildings within the territory, including locations on the Chilkoot Trail, Kluane National Park and Reserve and several sites in Dawson City.

In November 2014, the federal government announced it would put forward $2.8 billion over six years, starting 2014-15, for infrastructure improvements located within National Historic Sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas.

Several tenders for the maintenance jobs have been posted already, and Leef expects more to be posted soon.

While this may translate to more jobs for Yukoners on a temporary basis, Bagnell said, it does not replace the permanent jobs in the territory that Parks Canada previously cut.

The territory sees about 75,000 visitors to the national historic sites each year.

Frank de Jong, the territory’s Green Party candidate, could not be reached for comment on Leef’s announcement before press time this afternoon.

Comments (18)

Up 6 Down 29

Larry does not look very happy because he knows he can't win again on Aug 2, 2015 at 12:00 pm

Larry is good guy but when your party is in third place what can you say and about to get orange crushed..

Up 9 Down 50

NDP/Liberals running scared all over the place on Aug 1, 2015 at 4:01 pm

By the comments and responses the NDP/Liberals are running like rabbits mode all over the place.

Up 67 Down 8

Moose on Jul 31, 2015 at 9:06 pm

"@facts speak for themselves" You are right they do. Conservatives always cut taxes when in power which forces the Liberals to raise them and look like the bad guys because they have to tackle the huge debt that is accumulated by the Conservative tax cuts and overspending. We need to pay down the debt not cut taxes, this just handcuffs our kids who will have to make sacrifices later in life or end up like Greece.

Up 36 Down 115

Larry is really looking for senate seat on Jul 31, 2015 at 8:27 pm

Larry is really looking for a senate seat!

Up 169 Down 401

NDP and liberals history on Jul 30, 2015 at 7:16 pm

NDP liberal history is tax and spend. Look at the NDP in Ontario and in Nova Scotia.
Look at PR Trudeau taking Canada into the most debt of any Prime minister in our history.
The country has had more strong growth under conservatives than any other party.
Facts speak for themselves.

Up 231 Down 32

Moose on Jul 30, 2015 at 2:47 pm

"@yukoners do you want" You're joking right? The Liberals gave Harper a balanced budget and a 14 billion surplus!! The Conservatives quickly burned through the surplus BEFORE the recession even hit and have yet to balance a single budget. Nice try though.

Up 279 Down 604

Yukoners do you want to continue the good ;life which we all enjoy? on Jul 30, 2015 at 9:15 am

Of course Yukoners want to continue the good life.
Liberals and NDP have no economic plan but just like to hear themselves talk and say nothing with substance.
NDP solution is day care and kill anything that's good and create sand box jobs like the liberals did for years.
This piece is a good example of just creating public sector jobs nothing for the private sector.
Put in an NDP government and then watch the recession grow like fire weed.

Up 15 Down 2

Moose on Jul 30, 2015 at 12:21 am

"this just shows" hahah the recession ended in 2009, 2010 at the latest. If you think Canada's recession lasted till 2014 you have to ask yourself who was in power and why did it last so long. It certainly didn't go past 2010 for the US and others around the globe! But I'm sure the tax cuts were worth it.....as our national debt just keeps growing. Income splitting also cost the government a lot (3 billion?). No problem though, we can just add it to the debt for our kids to pay.

Up 222 Down 444

Yukon 56 on Jul 29, 2015 at 9:35 pm

Since 2004 the Yukon has grown by over 4500 people and 3000 jobs were created under conservative governments. Are you serious???? How many are Government jobs that Ottawa and we pay for. Not all of us can land a Government job

Up 476 Down 277

Marc on Jul 29, 2015 at 1:30 pm

NDP is the only choice in this federal election.

Up 612 Down 347

Lost in the Yukon on Jul 29, 2015 at 11:55 am

As someone pointed out these are structures owned by Canada ... which have been neglected by Canada and now they (Ryan Leef) wants to be applauded for doing their job? Really?

Up 391 Down 591

This just shows the liberals tax and spend - recession policy on Jul 29, 2015 at 11:50 am

It's too bad the liberals did not forget Canada and the world went into a very deep recession in 2008 and 2014 was the start of a recovery.
But the Yukon never had a recession in 2008 we had strong steady growth.
Now the world is going into a flat period because of European issues of failing countries and China GDP has dropped from 12% to 6% meaning slower growth for the largest growth engine for the world economy.
Everyone can't work for government.
Since 2004 the Yukon has grown by over 4500 people and 3000 jobs were created under conservative governments.

Up 35 Down 6

June Jackson on Jul 28, 2015 at 8:51 pm

Yeah..kinda agree with Moose. I feel that Ryan has made a pretty poor showing..I expected him to be something more than a Conservative lapdog.

A long ways yet to an election. I would really like to see a minority government. With a majority we have nothing but a dictatorship..and I am pretty tired both territoriality and federally of being forced to accept every bs idea they come up with.. much like Ryans announcement today.. passing legislation left and right.. I think I could live with a government that went to the Leg and said.. well..nothing on the agenda today, no new laws to pass, no new lies to tell.. see everyone tomorrow.

Up 21 Down 32

Bobby Bitman on Jul 28, 2015 at 5:35 pm

I was thinking I would have to plug my nose to vote for Larry in order to get rid of Stephen Harper, but Larry is actually sounding intelligent and effective in this article. Will keep tuned in to hear more.

Up 304 Down 458

Guncache on Jul 28, 2015 at 5:05 pm

Larry sure doesn't have my vote. He misled the public last time and he is sure to do it again. He should just stay at home with the kids, there is a chance he won't mislead them.

Up 475 Down 239

my vote too on Jul 28, 2015 at 4:57 pm

Larry has my vote too. The conservatives has destroyed places like Haines Junction by axing the park and opening it up to poaching and basically destroying the economy and protection on one of Canada's best parks. Move out conservatives…your time here is up.

Up 19 Down 5

Northerner on Jul 28, 2015 at 4:50 pm

Good call, Moose, but with a strong NDP candidate the vote will be split again and Leef has a real shot at getting re-elected.

Up 1109 Down 669

Moose on Jul 28, 2015 at 4:27 pm

We can always count on Larry to cut through the Conservative spin machine. The coming rematch will be close but I think he will beat Leef this time. He has my vote!

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