Photo by Vince Fedoroff
TOGETHERNESS – Sya Berkman, left, and Felicity Vangel were out supporting the conservation of the Peel watershed at the Yukon legislature early Thursday afternoon. Protesters and other members of the public filled the gallery on what proved to be a raucous opening day of the session. Karen Baltgailis Brad Cathers
Yukoners concerned about the fate of the Peel watershed didn't get the answers they were looking for during Thursday's question period.
Yukoners concerned about the fate of the Peel watershed didn't get the answers they were looking for during Thursday's question period.
"We heard the minister say the exact same thing over and over,” Susanne Hingleyalford, a concerned resident, said of Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Brad Cathers.
"The premier (Darrell Pasloski) did not get up and speak. I think I left feeling more frustrated than I did going in by not getting any answers whatsoever.”
About 200 people showed up to the legislature on the first day of the spring sitting to protest what they call the government's undemocratic approach to planning the Peel.
The gallery filled up quickly, and many were left outside the assembly's closed doors or on the sidewalk listening to the proceedings through loudspeakers.
Karen Baltgailis, the executive director of the Yukon Conservation Society, said she had hoped the Yukon Party would have answered at least some of the opposition's questions.
"Minister Cathers said the same thing at least 13 times,” said Baltgailis. "To me, that just shows utter disrespect for the legislative process and the people of the Yukon.”
David Laxton, the Speaker of the legislature, thought the protesters in the gallery were the ones disrespecting the process.
He asked the gallery to stop clapping and hooting several times.
"Another outburst like that and I may have to resort to clearing the gallery,” said Laxton after NDP Leader Liz Hanson asked how the premier would restore public trust in the land use planning process.
Darius Elias, the interim Liberal leader, asked the premier if the government's new eight guiding principles framing the Peel issue were designed solely for political messaging.
Cathers repeated that his party committed to finding a plan that "protects the environment and respects all sectors of the economy.”
Cathers said what Yukoners have been hearing for months: the Yukon Party needs to follow the process outlined in the First Nation final agreements.
"Part of that requires explaining on what basis we believe modification should be made — which is what we have done,” he said.
Pasloski did not speak during question period when he was asked a direct question.
He told the Star after the session convened that he didn't want to "upstage” his colleague.
"We've said all along my style is a collaborative style, and I support and believe in the responsibility of a minister,” said Pasloski. "That's the reason. It's respect.”
Those in the gallery were protesting both the direction the government is taking with the Peel, as well as its recent interest in oil and gas exploration. But the message remained the same: we don't want it.
"I spent two years supporting the Cree people in the tar sands, and I'm really concerned that there's a large agenda by oil and gas and mining to completely destroy the environment in the Yukon,” said Linda Bonnefoy.
Carolyn Simmons, another protester, said people have to start thinking differently or the Yukon will turn into Alberta.
"When I moved here 25 years ago, people told me it takes 20 years for things to get it,” said Simmons. "It's here now. The greed has got here.”
Mony Alford, a veteran Yukon mountaineer and author, said the government seems to be short-sighted.
"Mines come in, they operate for a short while and they leave, and they leave a mess.
"This is the history of mining here. It's deplorable,” said Alford.
"It seems to me when you have a region like the Peel, it should be preserved at all costs.”
Alford admitted he had no expectations from the Yukon Party government Thursday.
"This is a very cautious sort of thing that we're getting into. And we should be taking it very slowly, and I rather feel that isn't the case.
"The government here seems to be bound on making the Yukon a big production for mineral development. I think that's not right.”
It's still unknown when exactly — other than sometime this spring— the last round of public consultations will begin or what they will look like.
Cathers told the Star last month he hopes to have everything wrapped up by September.
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Comments (15)
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Snow Shovel on Mar 24, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Not making excuses for the Mining Minister or anything, but, he has to say the same thing from script because it is not like he has the gift of the gab like a true politician. It is not like many of them on that side of the house are quick on their feet. Brad Blathers is the best they can do!!!
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Jennifer Smith on Mar 22, 2012 at 8:00 am
I don't live in the Yukon for the money or the job I have. If I wanted money, I'd move to Ft. MacMurry. I live here because I want to raise my kids in a place that has nature, untouched and wild. The Yukon is becoming one of the last places in the world like that, in case no one noticed. Let's take a vote! I, for one, think the Peel Region is a great candidate for a National Park. There does need to be a balance, but the mining companies won't give balance. They'll trash the place, leave their mess, and move on. It's happening everywhere else in the world; let's not let it happen here! We won't go bankrupt if there is no mining there. That is a scare tactic. People will pay to see the last moose, the last unpolluted river system and the last real forest. By the way, I don't have a membership in YCS or CPAWS either, but I'm going to get one!
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Balanced Approach on Mar 22, 2012 at 12:53 am
Joel:
People are booing and cheering because the "people sitting in those chairs" aren't doing their jobs. They aren't respecting the processes they were voted in to uphold. i.e. completely disregarding the Peel Planning Commission and the years of hard work and money they put in to the recommendations.
And those "different ideas they have on a number of issues" just happen to be concerning mining, oil and gas. Which happen to have the unfortunate side effect of inconceivable environmental damage. Irreversible damage.
They are also not "answering the questions posed to them" by repeating the same phrase 23 times. THAT is what is disrespectful and condescending. And the information available to them it plentiful. It's just difficult to see it when you're eyes and ears are shut to public opinion.
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Joel on Mar 21, 2012 at 2:51 am
Balanced Approach; They do have a right to speak at public forums....and this was not a public forum...and they weren't speaking, they were cheering or booing depending on who was speaking.
I didn't vote Yukon Party either, but I respect the process the way it is designed and have some respect for the people that are sitting in those chairs trying to do their jobs. Darryl and Brad might have different ideas than me on a number of issues, but they are not being disrespectful by answering the questions posed to them with the information that is currently available.
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GUNCACHE on Mar 20, 2012 at 11:48 pm
60% of the voters didn't vote for some other party, their votes went to several other mixed parties. That means the 60% are very divided among small parties. The Yukon party won so suck it up. By the way YCS & CPAWS what fuel heats your house and runs your car?
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Patrick on Mar 19, 2012 at 9:01 am
Most people in the Legislature gallery were well behaved.
The applause was directed towards the NDP and liberal MP's who provided constructive support for protecting the Peel.
The disrespectful antics were directed at the Yukon Party which provided scripted answers to the thoughtful questions put to them. Disrespect was earned by the YP when their Peel agenda was unveiled after the election. They deserve disrespect in my mind.
I have serious concerns on how contributions to the Yukon Party by mining companies may be influencing the way they are dealing with the Peel Planning Commission Recommendations.
Nevertheless, let's hope future public consultations will provide the input needed for the government to protect the Peel. I noticed many long term Yukoners in the gallery and suspect that protection of the Peel is an issue well beyond the interests of just the YCS and CPAS.
If Pasloski and Cathers are concerned about the Yukon being bankrupt due to the mining claims that include large iron ore and coal deposits then let's have government officials hold public forums, show us where the claims are and provide options for dealing with the removal of mining claims within the Peel. The Windy Craggy example seems like a scare tactic.
The issue of conservations vs mining interests gets played out all over the world. The importance of wilderness to Yukoners and the Yukon economy is immense and it will only grow in time. Its never a good time to set areas aside for protection due to the competing interests, but once it is done its a legacy forever.
Lets get on with it.
A longterm Yukoner who does not hold a membership in the YSC or CPAS.
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M.D. on Mar 19, 2012 at 7:40 am
Yes, some of us in the Yukon like to keep our "juvenile", judgmental, and even fanciful comments anonymous. We're much too delicate to expose ourselves to public disagreements.
Well, I'm grateful that there's still people brave enough to speak up on behalf of people like me, who didn't vote for the Yukon Party -- or Stephen Harper, for that matter. And yet we remain Canadian citizens. It's just not fair, I guess, is what some commenters here seem to be saying.
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50th Generation Yukoners on Mar 19, 2012 at 7:16 am
Hello 3rd gen yukon person,
The mining interests have many different interest groups also. In fact the Yukon Party has a select committee that advises them directly on mineral extraction issues and they always take their advice, what the heck is the difference.
Also by the way, out of those Yukoners that voted, 60 percent of them voted for some other party than the so called yukon party.
Get used to hearing that voice in one form or another.
I think the true yukoners are waking up!!
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Balanced Approach on Mar 19, 2012 at 12:48 am
" Funny, I don't recall electing either the YCS or CPAWS to represent me. So why are they acting like they have the right to speak as if they were elected bodies instead of the left wing special interest groups that they are "
Funny I did not vote conservative. So I appreciate when I can still have a voice representing my concerns about my community. That is why they have "a right" to speak at public forums regarding the future of our environment. That is the same environment that is the reason why you and I live here. And I would like to see it starting to be respected and upheld as much as the mining industry is.
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vlad on Mar 17, 2012 at 10:23 am
I remember many meetings attended by the Yukon Conservation Society, some fifteen years ago. At that time they, she, were instrumental in destroying the SE Yukon forest industry. Now, it is oil and gas and minerals and what is next!? Do not let it happen.
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Embarrasing day for the Yukon on Mar 17, 2012 at 8:08 am
Regarding a protester saying Cathers showed 'utter disrespect', I don't even know where to start with that one except to say maybe you have to show respect to get some in return, try that. And while you are at it try showing some respect for the people of the Yukon that elected this government to represent them.
I am frankly embarrassed by the actions of these people at the legislature who took it upon themselves to do something as juvenile as this sounds like it was. However if the YCS was involved it doesn't surprise me. Those of us who weren't there to support the government that day were at our jobs, working to make something better of ourselves and the Yukon instead of dreaming up silly little games to play.
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Yesab on Mar 17, 2012 at 3:53 am
I would like to know what the protest was all about. As far as I know I will have an opportunity to have my say in public consultations. I think it was disrespectful to all elected members what happened in the Legislative Assembly by most people in the gallery. yes it is a place for the public to come and listen, not to hoot, stand up and turn their backs to the members sitting. I think that most of the public that were in the gallery acted like spoiled children. Does this mean that every time that we the public don't agree with ANY of the sitting members we can holler, clap, boo and maybe throw things? I think not.
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Murray Munn on Mar 16, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Well, the premier's style may be collaborative within his party and with his minister, and he might say he means respect for said minister, but neither that minister nor the premier showed any respect for the people they are supposed to represent, nor any collaboration with the other parties who were trying to engage in a productive discussion.
Not to mention the First Nations who have also been clear about what they wish for the Peel region. This is just sandbox/schoolyard hijinks, and unworthy of adults.
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3rd gen. Yukoner on Mar 16, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Funny, I don't recall electing either the YCS or CPAWS to represent me. So why are they acting like they have the right to speak as if they were elected bodies instead of the left wing special interest groups that they are? Their party, namely the NDP had the fair chance to be elected last election and did not get selected by the people of the Yukon to represent us so stop acting like you did. I'm tired of listening to the crowd that will not be happy until this whole d--- territory is a park. Kudos to the Conservatives for sticking to the balanced approach instead of caving to these groups.
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yukonlinda on Mar 16, 2012 at 9:04 am
"Minister Cathers said the same thing at least 13 times,” said Baltgailis. "To me, that just shows utter disrespect for the legislative process and the people of the Yukon.”
Gee, Karen, do you ever think that maybe that's exactly how people feel about you and your gang of merry protesters? Whine, whine, whine, McIntyre Creek, Peel, Oil and Gas exploration.
I suppose you would rather have mining take place in some other province or country to support your electronic needs? NIMBY'ism is alive and well in Yukon, that's for sure.