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Scott Kent

‘Public government must have the last say’: Kent

The Yukon government filed its appeal of the Dec. 2 Yukon Supreme Court regarding the land use plan for the Peel River watershed on Tuesday afternoon.

By Chuck Tobin on December 31, 2014

The Yukon government filed its appeal of the Dec. 2 Yukon Supreme Court regarding the land use plan for the Peel River watershed on Tuesday afternoon.

The government is asking the Yukon Court of Appeal to quash three specific orders issued by Justice Ron Veale, including the order to accept 80 per cent wilderness protection and limited surface access throughout the region.

It’s also asking the superior court to strike down Veale’s finding that the government did not follow the proper process in consulting on a final land use plan, and that it had introduced new provisions at the 11th hour that nobody had seen before.

“We are looking for clarity that the democratically elected government will retain the authority to make decisions on Yukon public land,” Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Scott Kent said in an interview this morning.

“It’s very much about protecting our democracy as well as the economic future of the territory.”

Kent said Veale’s decision certainly restricts the government’s ability to manage the Peel watershed in a manner it feels is best for the territory.

The decision ties the government to a land use plan developed by the Peel planning commission that it does not agree with or accept, the minister said.

“The key message, the most important thing we are trying to get across, is public government must have the last say on what happens on public land.”

Kent also announced the government will be reinstating a freeze on staking new mineral claims inside the Peel and will not require companies to pay their annual fees to keep existing claims in good standing while the uncertainty remains.

After years of planning, the government rejected the final land use recommended by the Peel planning commission.

It instead developed its own plan, and formally adopted it last January, prompting an immediate legal challenge from First Nations and two environmental organizations.

Veale heard the case last July, and sought further clarification from the parties during a one-day hearing in October.

The Peel River watershed is 68,042 square kilometres in size, accounting for 14 per cent of the Yukon’s total area.

The Yukon aboriginal land claim agreements provide for regional land use planning across the entire territory. The North Yukon Land Use Plan was the first to be completed, and was signed off in 2009 without any public controversy.

The Peel planning exercise was the second regional exercise, and was controversial before the ink was dry on the initial three draft plans. In one corner were the four affected First Nations, environmental organizations and a large segment of the Yukon population calling for maximum wilderness protection of what they argued was one of the last pristine areas in the world.

In the other corner was the government, industry and another large segment of the Yukon population calling for a more balanced land use plan which allowed for economic development while providing wilderness protection.

Veale found the government, however, was not upfront and open during the land use planning exercise; that it never really put its cards on the table until the very end.

That approach is not acceptable when dealing with modern-day aboriginal treaties, as enunciated by the Supreme Court of Canada, he explained in his 92-page decision.

Veale said the law of the land these days requires governments to act honourably when dealing with matters of modern day treaties, to give those treaties liberal, not narrow, interpretation.

The government, he found, relied on a narrow interpretation of the agreements.

It relied on the clause that said at the end of the day it had the ability to “approve, reject or modify” land use plans recommended by planning commissions, the judge said in his decision.

“It was an ungenerous interpretation not consistent with the honour and integrity of the Crown,” wrote Veale.

He ordered the government to return to the planning table, but only to the point where it had begun to provide meaningful input.

The judge specifically said the government is permitted now to go all the way back to the beginning, and must now accept a large part of the plan recommended by the Peel commission – including the vast wilderness protection and restricted road and rail access.

Kent said the government cannot accept the direction provided for in Veale’s decision.

“What that remedy does is limit our ability to make decisions,” he said.

Kent said it’s also about future land use planning exercises.

The Dawson regional land use planning exercise is well advanced but was put on hold just before Veale’s decision was issued.

Kent explained all parties to the Dawson plan agreed it would be best to put the exercise on hold until the matter of the Peel land use plan was finally resolved.

It would be premature to discuss whether the government is prepared to take its case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada if it loses its appeal, said Kent

Under the land claim agreements, owners of the land have the final say over land use plans recommended by a planning commission, whether it be aboriginal settlement land or territorial Crown land.

Ninety-seven per cent of the Peel watershed is Yukon government land.

See related coverage.

Comments (46)

Up 1 Down 0

Sally Wright on Jan 16, 2015 at 10:44 am

I sure wish people would actually read Judge Veale's decision, especially Minister Kent. Please understand, the Umbrella Final Agreement helps us all. This case is going to go to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Yukon, the Peel, is the line in the sand, not only for reconciliation for Colonial wrong doing, but also humanity's collective guilt for desecrating our Mother Earth. The Peel is the last intact watershed on the planet. Are we really going to destroy our civilization because of money?
There are more economically recoverable minerals in Vancouver's dump than there are in all the Peel. It is time we divested ourselves from polluting industries, and looked to a future of living within our means with renewable energy, reuse, reduce, recycle, reconciliation and revolution.
I was at the gathering at the Beringia center last night and the resolve to work united for a better future for ALL our children was so encouraging.
The Yukon has always been a place of innovation, resilience and community engagement. It is our recognition of the beauty and peace of wilderness that sets us apart from other parts of the world because we still have wilderness. It is a healing place, and when there is so much agony going on all over the world, wilderness will become even more valuable.
Werner is right, the paradigm is shifting and the First Nations are clued into it. The price of oil is a harbinger of this shift.
Please read Judge Veale's decision, it is only 92 pages but it will provides a good background of how the Land Claims agreements help us all move forward together for a more sustainable, prosperous future.

Up 8 Down 3

Hey Bobby Bitman on Jan 7, 2015 at 1:15 am

Hey Bobby Bitman,
You complain about the Yukon Party having too many corporate sponsors? Take a good look at that list, it is primarily made up of small businesses that have been founded by Yukoners that contribute to our community, and provide great jobs (ie Sidhu trucking being one of the best employers in the north) These are not some rich outsiders influencing anything, these are Yukoners next door making a difference in our community, can you say the same?

Up 11 Down 3

Just Say'in on Jan 7, 2015 at 12:23 am

Please take note that all the quick responses to this article came from one camp and all of the thumbs up to go with them. Do you suppose that this was a bit on an organized response? NOOOOO. As time goes by us working stiffs finally get time to read the paper and then you see the trend change. Strange isn't it?
The fact that all the businesses in the Yukon support the Yukon party does not surprise me at all. If the Lib's or "no damn progress" (NDP) party were to get in they would try and shut everything down. All these greenies work for the government and think their jobs are rock solid. I say start letting them go on mass. If we don't have industry then we don't need all the people set up to administer it either. Bye Bye

Up 6 Down 4

Just Say'in on Jan 7, 2015 at 12:13 am

So if it say's “Approve, Reject or Modify” and the Government of the day has said they will either reject or modify what is the problem. Does the judge suggest that the only option of those three is to approve? Then why would it be written that way? As a White man I have had absolutely no input nor was I able to see the items being discussed in the land claims agreements. While members of the Bands were summoned to meetings to bring them up to speed I was left out and told I was being represented by "My elected officials" at the table. There was and still is a huge flaw in this. The majority in those days were held by left wing governments that were firmly intrenched with their majorities in the communities. The first nations people had elected my officials while claiming self government and then negotiating with my government, that they elected. I feel that there is no democracy any more. If the first nations are truly Nations then they should not be voting in my Government or I to should be voting in theirs.

Up 7 Down 3

Joel on Jan 6, 2015 at 5:48 pm

Faroite on Jan 4, 2015 at 12:32 pm Said:

"Public Government" isn't a new name for the Yukon Party. It is a term that means a body that represents the public. Us. And we clearly stated our position.
You are perfectly correct. We elected the Yukon Party to run the territory for their term and that is what they are doing. Hopefully they will be able to continue to do what they were elected to do.

Up 1 Down 7

Werner Rhein on Jan 6, 2015 at 5:38 pm

The little Paz strawman is going down the tube, he should really work on his education especially on Democracy. Laws and Regulations are there, especially in a Democracy, so little dictators like Pazlousky can't do whatever they want. Do you get it.
The list of sponsors shows exactly what is going on, The Yukon Party is bought by the Industry small and big. The small businesses hope they will get some crumbs from the big pie, the big ones already own the pie. Or so they think.
Times are changing and not just for the Yukon, it is changing worldwide.

Stay tuned.

Up 2 Down 6

Julius Caesar on Jan 6, 2015 at 5:36 pm

Some of the commentators have the same mentality as Harper and his little brother, Pasloski. They will sell their mother for a quick buck. Take note of the oil price that went for the gutters. It happens to minerals too, as the Yukon has experienced over the years. When the minerals are gone or the prices so low that the mines have been abandoned, there is only the environmental mess left and nothing else. But I guess that, as long there is money for a few trips to the liquor store, few will care. We need the protection of the courts against fools who were elected into government by the minority of people, thanks to an outdated electoral system.

Up 2 Down 6

David Hett on Jan 6, 2015 at 5:11 pm

In the last territorial election, the YP got 40.5% of the vote. That does not translate into "public".

Up 31 Down 13

Thanks to the NDP and Anti development group on Jan 6, 2015 at 1:39 pm

Does any Yukon believe it is good politics to stop the future of the Yukon for our families. NDP and anti development group think they are going to take the next election in the Yukon. Good luck. The people of the Yukon want wealth for themselves like Alberta, BC NFL and other regions are doing. All I can say is thanks to the NDP and the anti development groups that are supporting the Yukon Party and the liberals in the next election.

Up 38 Down 19

Lost in the Yukon on Jan 5, 2015 at 2:34 pm

With the signing of the Umbrella Final Agreement there became a legislated paradigm shift in governance.
At the time most agreed that it would take time to get to this point, that being a point in time when we would have to move from theory to reality.
The Peel Land Use Process is a “watershed” moment. What is really being appealed is not Justice Veale’s decision. He got it right.

What you see is the old order (pre Umbrella Final Agreement), those who believe in a Yukon where a few white guys ran Government calling the shots and resisting having to share and work in cooperation ... the new paradigm that the Umbrella Final Agreement speaks to.
Let's be honest, we all know and have heard what has been said behind closed doors in the main Yukon Government Building in regards to First Nations being able to manage its own affairs and be partners with the Territorial Government - since the time of the signing of the Final Agreement.

Many have expressed scorn at the idea and expressed the opinion that "fine let them have self-government, they will fail in the end and come back asking for help." This is the old order and this sentiment is based in racism -recognized or not - conscious or not.
The fight is not about the Peel. The Peel is a surrogate. The real fight is about being stuck in the past or moving forward. The real fight is about whether YG was honest and sincere when it negotiated and signed the Umbrella Final Agreement.

Scott Kent hiding behind the slogan of "fighting for democracy" is really code for saying we will only pay lip service to the Final Agreement.
The sooner people (and this government) recognize that change is inevitable, the sooner Yukon can be put back on a path to prosperity.

Up 42 Down 25

What I find interesting on Jan 5, 2015 at 1:45 pm

You have the anti development group that is funded by non Canadians and are supported by people who criticize the Yukon Party for raising funds in Vancouver because it is outside individuals and corporations. But it is OK for anti development and people that are non Yukon Party supporters to criticize them from raising out side funds. Give it break anti-development group because voters of the Yukon can see through the anti development supported by the NDP. By these statements, it just shows how unbelievable the anti development and NDP are and do not want the Yukon to be successful.

Up 35 Down 26

Working this one hard on Jan 5, 2015 at 11:32 am

Anti development group along with the NDP are working this one hard because they really know what they are doing is not in the interest of what true Yukoners want for their future. The arguments put forth are mostly untrue like the water. Is the water bad in Dawson with over a 100 years of mining? I drank lots of it this summer and it was not black. So Yukoners don't vote for statements that are not true and vote for your interest, kids etc.

Up 29 Down 30

mary laker on Jan 5, 2015 at 9:51 am

In return for all those corporate donations, the Yukon Party is spending enormous amounts of public money to fight to the death on behalf of corporate interests. An excellent return on investment for the corporations that gave huge donations to the get their representatives elected in 2011. Except I didn't think that politicians were supposed to be representing corporations.

Up 26 Down 17

Bobby Bitman on Jan 5, 2015 at 9:42 am

Having your election and party in power bought by corporations, many of which are not even based in the Yukon, is not normal. Only Newfoundland, PEI and the Yukon allow, "contributions from individuals and corporations that are not residents of the province or territory." The Yukon needs to quit this club of three.

Also, having no limit to the amount that individuals and corporations can give to a political party is not normal either. Only Newfoundland, PEI, Saskatchewan and the Yukon, allow wealthy donors and corporations to supply as much money as they want to buy the party of their choice.

This is not democratic, and it defies the principles of reasonably fair access to political influence. If you are rich, you can buy your way into influence in the Yukon, even if you do not live here, and even if you are not a person but a corporation. (A corporation is a legal entity.)

The majority of jurisdictions in Canada have acted on the wisdom of not allowing people to buy the party of their choice with unlimited campaign contributions. The majority of jurisdictions do not allow people and corporations who are even based in the territory to affect the result of the elections through massive cash infusions.

The people of the Yukon should demand that this sort of corruption stop in our territory as well.
Look at the numbers. Each of these donations is larger, and in many cases multiple times larger, than the largest donations received by the Liberals or the NDP.

The Yukon Party is bought and paid for by corporations, many of which are not even based in the Yukon. This angers me and is an offense to a sense of justice and fair play. How can Yukoners compete with this? :

Alexco Vancouver, $7500. Arctic Construction Fort St. John, BC 5,000.00, Inform Resources Corp. Vancouver, BC 2,500.00, Ketza River Holdings Vancouver, BC 5,000, Largo Resources Ltd. Toronto, 5,000.00, Midnight Sun Drilling Co. Ltd. Red Deer, AB 5,000.00, Northern Freegold Resources Ltd. Vancouver, BC 5,000.00, Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. Vancouver, BC 1,000.00, Pelly Construction Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 5,000.00, PowerOne Capital Markets Ltd. Toronto, ON 2,500.00, Predator Mining Group Vancouver, BC 10,000.00, Quantum Machine Works Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 3,500.00, Royal Bank of Canada Toronto, ON 1,000.00, Scotia Bank Toronto, ON 1,000.00, Selwyn Resources Ltd. Vancouver, BC 5,000, P. S. Sidhu Trucking Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 5,000.00, Silver Quest Resources Ltd. Vancouver, BC 5,000, Smash Minerals Corp. Vancouver, BC 5,000.00, Stina Resources Ltd. Richmond, BC 1,000.00, TD Bank Financial Group Toronto, ON 1,000.00, Tintina Mines Ltd. Toronto, ON 5,000.00,
http://www.fasken.com/en/election-time-reminder-of-political-contribution-rules/

Up 48 Down 48

Josey Wales on Jan 4, 2015 at 5:35 pm

This topic is really getting old, perhaps on BOTH yup BOTH sides of the debate...we need to follow the money see where it is coming from?
Both sides have outside interests AND funding, Scott is 100% correct...the "elected" government must so have the last word.

Up 24 Down 12

Yukon Territorial Government on Jan 4, 2015 at 12:43 pm

What is with the "public government" saying that Yukon party is keen on using?
They are a territorial government of the Yukon territory, nothing more.

Up 24 Down 16

Faroite on Jan 4, 2015 at 12:32 pm

"Public Government" isn't a new name for the Yukon Party. It is a term that means a body that represents the public. Us. And we clearly stated our position.

Up 37 Down 20

Choices for the Yukon on Jan 4, 2015 at 11:24 am

We let the NDP, liberals, and the small anti development group that is funded by no Yukoners tell the major of the Yukoners what choices we have in development of the Yukon. It is the Yukon Government of the day that was voted in by the people of the Yukon, with a majority and First Nations make the decisions on the best choices for our Yukon not some interest group that is funded from somewhere else telling Yukoners what they can and cannot do with our resources or land. As an individual who has worked on land us planning with and for First Nations, Municipal, Territorial and Federal Government the planning process should just be removed and a proper process with planners, and other professional advisers and a board that has no interest in the process be appointed. The judge discussion should not be followed because it is not the law of the land.

Up 43 Down 2

north_of_60 on Jan 3, 2015 at 7:45 pm

"it is true there are people who want to stop economic growth in the Yukon for our kids"
I suppose so. It takes all kinds. Some people are misinformed and they tend to group at the extreme edges of issues, like your comment implies.

It is also true there are people who want unrestrained economic growth in the Yukon for immediate profit and greed.
Most Yukoners want reasonably sustainable economic health with minimal damage to the environment for our children and grandchildren's future.

Up 24 Down 2

Placer Guy on Jan 3, 2015 at 5:25 pm

June Jackson, The Crest deposit most certainly is in the Peel river watershed. Big old airstrip right by the Snake. Chevron just spent a pile of cash up there over the past few summers on a soil remediation project, cleaning up thousands of gallons of fuel spilled when they were running exploration projects there.

Up 36 Down 12

Jwhite on Jan 3, 2015 at 3:31 pm

While I don't agree with the Gov't decision on the Peel, I do think that this court decision must be appealed. The UFA is an important document that will rule the Yukon for generations. It's important that our understanding of its requirements be clear, and where there is any uncertainty or disagreement, I think the final interpretation should be made by a higher court than the Yukon. This is just too important an interpretation to be left to Mr. Veale.

Up 42 Down 24

Start Over on Jan 3, 2015 at 10:04 am

Given the area of land in question I feel it is important that we get this right. Starting over should be an option and the money spent would not all be wasted. The bottom line is a land use plan should not cause this much conflict. Some of the comments suggest that the government didn't pay attention to the planning process until it was too late. I would disagree. For example, mineral potential maps were produced by a panel of experts that included both government and industry. This process rated rock groups from high to low mineral potential for the entire planning region. These maps aim to guide the process for this particular land use. At the end of the day the Peel Planning Commission decided to ignore these maps and decided that the ecological values trumped pretty much everything.
Most reasonable people would understand the shock this caused to the mineral industry and people who put faith in the commission to develop a balanced land use plan. We don't hesitate to point fingers at the current government as the "bad guys" but it depends on your perspective. The head of the Peel Planning Commission has certainly shown his bias since this fiasco started and that should have factored into the courts recent decisions. The process methodology was poorly defined at the outset and that set us on a coarse for conflict.
Do the right thing, open the books and work out a planning process that works for all regions. Hire unbiased certified land use planners (yes they are out there) and develop a plan we can all be proud of.

Up 33 Down 50

Fed up Yukoner on Jan 3, 2015 at 8:43 am

I think the problem that the Yukon Party has is that the Peel has been promised to the Chinese, that it's not a problem to develop and with the new trade agreement, Chinese companies have as many, if not more, rights to mine where they want as a Canadian co. Doesn't the Yukon Party understand that they won't be in business forever (gone sooner than later, I hope) and that the real condition of our financial situation will be revealed, the Yukon will be the poorest province/territory in Canada.
We have hundreds of borrowed bucks hidden in crown corps and any amount of mining won't pay for it given our ridiculous royalties paid to the gov. we are in for a rude wake up when the votes are counted. I hope the new government will have the strength to deal with it and the balls to fire about 2000 gov employees while they are at it, and start treating Yukon workers with some respect and less foreign workers helping big boxes make even more almighty dollars. What is really keeping the Yukon afloat? YP has borrowed more $ than a drunken sailor on leave, why be proud of conning a billion bucks from the feds and that won't cover our budget, what happens when the transfer payments get clawed back, it will happen cause now Canada is broker than broke and we have a "balanced budget" but no $ for programs that taxpayer fund...sorry could go on forever!!

Up 30 Down 20

Yukoner 3 on Jan 2, 2015 at 6:54 pm

Bobby Bitman: Glad you posted that list. There are definitely some local businesses I will stop visiting now. I hope others will do the same. YP financial backers and their businesses must have no respect for democracy and transparency if they support this government. Perhaps this list should be spread around more, just to let people know where the funds are coming from to keep this party afloat and working against most Yukoners.

Up 13 Down 5

Bobby Bitman on Jan 2, 2015 at 5:40 pm

And the NDP list of corporate donations (2):

Now Communications Group Inc. Vancouver, BC 742.10 742.10
Riverstone Dental Clinic Whitehorse, YT 1,150.00 1,150.00

The NDP had 87 contributors over $250, of which 85 were individual Yukoners.

The Yukon party had 53 corporate contributors over $250 (most in the thousands of dollars), plus 14 individual Yukoners.

Up 25 Down 8

Now list the Liberal and NDP supporters on Jan 2, 2015 at 3:10 pm

Now list the Liberal and NDP supporters and see what you find. You will see the Yukon Employees Union using members union dues to support these parties without the approval of the YEU members. The YEU members should pass a bye-law to not let their executive spend their dues supporting only certain parties. This lacks of disrespect by the executive for YEU members interest.

Up 19 Down 31

June Jackson on Jan 2, 2015 at 3:07 pm

To: Mining Claims in the Peel

What kind of future are you talking about for your children's future? Water that isn't fit for human consumption..drinking water out of a bottle will be the norm for them? Jobs? Why do you think any Yukoner will have jobs? We have mines here now and Yukoner's don't have jobs. Mining companies import workers through FW programs and from Alberta. When a mine goes down, we lose what? 3 or 4 jobs from admin staff in Whitehorse?

The Crest Project is actually Chevron Oil and is not in the Peel. This article is primarily about the Peel.."The Snake River iron formation is located in a remote area of the Yukon, approximately 400 km east of the Dempster Highway and 350 km northeast of Elsa, Yukon. The thickest units of iron formation are located in the Iron Creek area at the headwaters of the Snake and Bonnet Plume rivers, and are exposed extensively in the Yukon/NWT border region over an area 50 km long and 13 km wide.

See more here: http://www.miningyukon.com/Documents/Why%20Yukon/Mineral%20Property%20Profiles/Crest%20Property.pdf

I sympathize with everyone that thinks developing our resources will make us the land of milk and promise. But that simply isn't the case. This government can not be trusted. What they want is the door open, as soon as they get a foot in they will change the rules and we are hooped. Better to slam the door in their face right now, and hope for someone..anyone..who is honest with the Yukon's best interests at heart to get in in the next election. Ok..now its your turn to tell me I'm full of it..no such politician exists.

Up 26 Down 19

inbedwithTheYukonParty on Jan 2, 2015 at 2:58 pm

The list of party donors is quite illuminating, if not at all surprising. It at least helps explain how a certain local trucking company obtained a multi-million dollar contract to resurface Ogilvie St this year. Just when you thought palms couldn't get any greasier. (thanks for digging up the list BB ).

Up 36 Down 24

It is True on Jan 2, 2015 at 2:41 pm

So, it is true there are people who want to stop economic growth in the Yukon for our kids. That is disgusting.

Up 20 Down 29

Yukon born on Jan 2, 2015 at 2:30 pm

Whats your point? The donor list shows that YP has a wide variety of Yukon businesses that support their party (55) along with a 2 dozen or so individuals where the Liberals 11 businesses and the NDP only 2 corporate supporters. If anything this proves to me and many others that the YP has support of the majority of people and businesses in the Yukon that help to support the economy of the Yukon and not the ones that suck it dry by sponging off of the system and its handouts and who have nothing better to do then to spend their free time researching biased and useless facts to spew off to the letters to the editors and all the comment forums thinking their views are the only right ones and that they, the loud mouthed small "majority" of the Yukon must be the only way to go. Very similar to the failed Peel process where the "Yukon Majority" that supported the plan was based on comments from about 850 people, last time I checked 850 people was no where near the majority of the Yukon population.

Up 40 Down 24

Bobby Bitman on Jan 2, 2015 at 12:26 pm

Yukon Party list of corporate donors over $250, in the last election. See the entire list at http://www.electionsyukon.gov.yk.ca/docs/report_contributions11.pdf Pg. 25 is where the donors lists start for the parties. Compare with the other parties. There were about a dozen individual donors as well:

AFD Quality Fuels & Lubricants Edmonton, AB 1,000.00 1,000.00
Alexco Resource Corp. Vancouver, BC 7,500.00 7,500.00
Arcrite Northern Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 1,000.00 1,000.00
Arctic Backhoe Services Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 5,000.00 5,000.00
Arctic Construction Ltd. Fort St. John, BC 5,000.00 5,000.00
Clive Aspinall Geological Atlin, BC 500.00 500.00
Calista Holdings Ltd.
Capital Helicopters Inc. Whitehorse, YT 500.00 500.00
Castle Rock Enterprises Whitehorse, YT 2,500.00 2,500.00
Coates Services Yukon Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 500.00 500.00
Cobalt Construction Inc. Whitehorse, YT 2,500.00 2,500.00
H. Coyne & Sons Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 800.00 800.00
Fireweed Helicopters Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 500.00 500.00
Glacier Drilling Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 500.00 500.00
Igloo Building Supplies 1000
Industrial Electric Services Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 2,000.00 2,000.00
Inform Resources Corp. Vancouver, BC 2,500.00 2,500.00
Ketza River Holdings Vancouver, BC 5,000.00 5,000.00
Klondike Welding Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 300.00 300.00
Kluane Drilling Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 800.00 800.00
Hector Lang Construction (2001) Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 1,000.00 1,000.00
Largo Resources Ltd. Toronto, ON 5,000.00 5,000.00
Loucheux Enterprises Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 800.00 800.00
Midnight Sun Drilling Co. Ltd. Red Deer, AB 5,000.00 5,000.00
Rick Nielsen Whitehorse, YT 1,000.00 1,000.00
Northern Freegold Resources Ltd. Vancouver, BC 5,000.00 5,000.00
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. Vancouver, BC 1,000.00 1,000.00
Pelly Construction Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 5,000.00 5,000.00
PowerOne Capital Markets Ltd. Toronto, ON 2,500.00 2,500.00
Predator Mining Group Vancouver, BC 10,000.00 10,000.00
Quantum Machine Works Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 3,500.00 3,500.00
Royal Bank of Canada Toronto, ON 1,000.00 1,000.00
Scotia Bank Toronto, ON 1,000.00 1,000.00
Selwyn Resources Ltd. Vancouver, BC 5,000.00 5,000.00
P. S. Sidhu Trucking Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 5,000.00 5,000.00
Silver Quest Resources Ltd. Vancouver, BC 5,000.00 5,000.00
Smash Minerals Corp. Vancouver, BC 5,000.00 5,000.00
Stina Resources Ltd. Richmond, BC 1,000.00 1,000.00
TD Bank Financial Group Toronto, ON 1,000.00 1,000.00
Tintina Mines Ltd. Toronto, ON 5,000.00 5,000.00
Trans North Helicopters Whitehorse, YT 2,000.00 2,000.00
Underhill Geomatics Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 1,000.00 1,000.00
Watson Lake Foods Ltd. Watson Lake, YT 3,000.00 3,000.00
Westmark Hotels of Canada Whitehorse, YT 500.00 500.00
Yukon Pump Ltd. Whitehorse, YT 300.00 300.00
Yukon Service Supply Co. Whitehorse, YT 1,000.00 1,000.00
Antonio Zedda Whitehorse, YT 500.00 500.00
12963 Yukon Inc. (c/o Corline Mgmt. Services) Whitehorse, YT 2,000.00 2,000.00
14624 Yukon Inc. Whitehorse, YT 5,000.00 5,000.00
39495 Yukon Inc. Whitehorse, YT 4,000.00 4,000.00
42421 Yukon Inc. (Yukon Tire) Whitehorse, YT 1,000.00 1,000.00
44049 Yukon Inc. Dawson City, YT 4,000.00 4,000.00
540487 BC Ltd. Vancouver, BC 5,000.00 5,000.00
Alkan Air Ltd. Whitehorse, YT Air Flights 16,356.90
P&M Recycling Whitehorse, YT Sandbags 2,313.00

Up 66 Down 50

Mining Claims in Peel on Jan 1, 2015 at 5:34 pm

Mining claims in the Peel are worth billions of dollars to investors, Federal, Yukon and First Nations Governments, to business in the Yukon of all sizes and types and especially Yukoner's wanting jobs and the future of our kids and our kids children.
The Crest project alone is worth several billion dollars. There is so much disrespect for the truth and misleading statements by groups, lawyers to stop development in the Yukon.
Less than 1% of the Yukon land mass will ever be developed and the wilderness will always be there. PEOPLE OF THE YUKON DON'T LISTEN TO THIS B...S BECAUSE IT WILL HURT YOUR FUTURE.

Up 65 Down 33

Bobby Bitman on Jan 1, 2015 at 3:59 pm

As for Scott's chances at being re-elected? Here are the results from the last election.
Lesniak NDP 296, Richardson Lib 289, Greens 35, Kent Y 366.

620 people voted for parties who said they would respect the Peel plan. 366 for the Yukon Party who crossed their fingers behind their backs and said they 'weren't sure yet'. 1.7 people voted 'for' the Peel Plan, for every one person who voted for, 'we aren't sure yet'.
I'd say Rick O'Shea is quite correct that Kent will not be a politician after the next election.

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Bobby Bitman on Jan 1, 2015 at 3:44 pm

The Yukon Party knew they would never get elected if they told the truth about their intention to throw out the reccommendations of the Peel planning process in favour of opening up almost the entire Peel Watershed to roads and industrial development.

Look at the donors list for the Yukon Party. They are representing resource extraction corporations. In my opinion, corporations should not be allowed to donate to political parties. They cannot vote for a reason. Politicians are supposed to be representing the people.

Pazlostski's puppetteers knew they would be kicked to the curb if they told the truth. By lying that they had 'no plan' for the Peel, they got elected by the skin of their teeth.

Now Scotty Kent is there saying this is all about the Yukon Party's right to do whatever they want, no matter how the consultations went, because they were 'elected to govern'. As if people knew what their intentions were. But we didn't because they lied.

The next election cannot come soon enough. Let us all be very careful not to screw it up again. The NDP and Liberals have to stop cutting each other's throats, because I know a lot of people who did not mind which candidate of those two parties got in so long as it was not the Yukon Party candidate. We have to start working together for the good of this territory. The Yukon Party does represent a significant number of Yukoners, and that is fair, but the very strong majority are being completely thrown aside.

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Beverly Sembsmoen on Jan 1, 2015 at 12:17 pm

The Yukon land use planning process used was a democratic process, as it was designed to be. Political interference actually diminishes the democratic process. YUKONERS have spoken and although choked at having to pay to take it to the court system, are happy with Justice Veale's ruling. Industry wants stability so it is not in their best interest to tick YUKONERS off. Now the ol boys are appealing... More time and bad faith being spent to go with the $ bill. So the question remains... Who really is at the root of this push to derail the democratic processes we have in the YUKON AGREEMENTS? Who benefits? Very easy trail to track. Harpers government all toots about transparency and accountability...perhaps he should teach what he knows to the Pazloski government or perhaps he already has.

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derangedloner_and tonto on Jan 1, 2015 at 11:50 am

Silly little man. Its time for Napoleon Kent to ride off into the sunset with what remains of his tattered dignity. He was utterly ineffectual at Education, but who thought he could be quite so useless at EMR? We live and learn.

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David Cosco on Jan 1, 2015 at 11:42 am

Minister Kent's assertion that "Public Government Must have the final say" applies in totalitarian states but not in democracies. In a democracy appeal courts have the final say on the actions of governments.

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R'Dale Constituent on Jan 1, 2015 at 11:01 am

This quotes just gets me boiling;
“It’s very much about protecting our democracy as well as the economic future of the territory.”
How does this protect our democracy? The whole PRPCs report was put together with public input from the public. The gov screwed up. They could have been more involved all along, but they chose to wait until AFTER the next election to become involved. The report could have been modified during the process. Not giving the electorate their position until after the election was as underhanded a move as we could expect from "The Good Old Boys".
And how does this secure our economic future? If we are going to stay with the status quo of boom and bust cycles, that economic future will be based entirely on market conditions. Right now, we are nowhere close to having the work force that even Casino will require. Just look at our unemployment figures. You never get below about 3-4%, that's just the way it is! and right now we are pretty much at that. So, even for the Casino project, our population will have to grow. And as that extra population will be dependent on mining jobs, that puts us further on the dependence cycle of boom and bust.
The YP likes to spin mining as some gigantic philanthropic exercise, where these poor little corporations are only here to help us and give us jobs. Come on, this is all about making money for shareholders, bottom line.
Yes, let's have mining, but let's keep wild places for our kids to enjoy.
Scott, this constituent won't be voting for you next election.

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Socrates on Jan 1, 2015 at 10:07 am

The Yukon Party must stop interfering with democracy!

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Judges Cannot make Public Policy on Jan 1, 2015 at 9:37 am

No judge has the right to make public policy for any elected government. The elected government by the people for the people are the only ones that can set public policy. This is miscarriage of the justice in the justice system. I have seen this before and it costs the people a lot by judgement that try to influence society direction which is not their responsibility.

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joella on Dec 31, 2014 at 11:06 pm

"...protecting our democracy...."

How 'bout we put democracy in action? Instead of spending yet more on court proceedings, have a referendum: Should the original land use plan for the Peel River watershed be adopted - yes or no?

Nah, not going to happen. YP too afraid of a "yes" result.

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June Jackson on Dec 31, 2014 at 10:16 pm

There has got to be a reason why the Paslowski government are being so bull headed about the Peel. I don't trust anything any one of them says about anything. Personally I suspect they may be in some kind of partnership with the Mining Companies. They do make secret agreements.

Peel Watershed Mining Issues (http://www.yukonconservation.org/mining.htm)

The publicly traded companies with mining claims in the Peel watershed have written off almost all of their expenses for these claims. Of $168,431,781 spent by these companies in the Peel since 2005, all but $5,772,274 has been written off. These 8,400 Yukon mining claims are practically worthless. Read the press release here, and the Peel claimholders spending since 2005 here.

More Indications the Peel Watershed Mining Claims Are Worthless: Yukon Government’s Department of Energy Mines and Resources has received an application to transfer 112 quartz claims in the Hart River area of the Peel watershed. The claims being transferred are Michelle 1 – 90 and Hot 1 – 22. The claims are being sold for one dollar and “other good and valuable consideration.” Read the YCS Press Release, MAC LQ00230 Assignment of Operating Plan, and the Application for Assignment of Approval for LQ002430. Here's the full report.

So..given all this information, Hey Yukon Party..what the hell's going on???

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ProScience Greenie on Dec 31, 2014 at 5:59 pm

"In the other corner was the government, industry...". That does not include the tourism and trophy hunting industries and their lobby groups that are not big on sharing the Peel. This has been a mess of conflicting ideology and greed since day one by almost all the players involved.

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Graham MacCannell on Dec 31, 2014 at 4:43 pm

This erroneously named Yukon Party has no business except monkey business with mining interests and those only interested in extricating the non-renewable resources from a land which can never recover from their raping of it! There is no way that the 'public government' should have 'the last say', against what the people say !

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Doug Trim on Dec 31, 2014 at 4:02 pm

Mr. Kent's theory about Public Government having the last say is applicable only when the Government has a healthy measure of respect for the citizens. In the Peel affair, his comments are humourous at best.

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Rick O'Shea on Dec 31, 2014 at 2:18 pm

I'd advise Mr Kent to polish up his resume he is done like dinner. Paz using him as a human shield for the Peel and the Mountainview scandal will sink him in the upcoming election.

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