The environment will be one of the biggest issues in the upcoming territorial election, shows a recent opinion poll conducted on behalf of the Yukon chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).

During a news conference early Thursday afternoon, CPAWS officials unveiled the poll, which gauged which issues are important to Yukoners.

The survey was conducted June 20-25 by Ontario-based Strategic Communications. It shows political parties' environmental platforms could make or break them when Yukoners go to the polls later this year. Premier Dennis Fentie has to call an election by November.

David Kraft, senior consultant with Strategic Communications, said the results of the polling exercise, which saw 402 Yukoners interviewed by phone, show they want more attention paid to environmental and conservation issues.

'Our findings indicate that conservation issues are important to supporters of all three parties,' said Kraft.

'These issues will be relevant to each party in securing their existing voting base, and they may be decisive when it comes to reaching the undecided voters almost 20 per cent of the electorate. In a close race, that is where the outcome will be decided.'

According to the poll:

• 91 per cent of respondents said the next territorial government should ensure that land use and conservation planning happens before large scale industrial development;

• 73 per cent supported increasing protected areas to 30 per cent of the total land area in the territory.

• 88 per cent feel the Yukon government should act to protect key portions of the Porcupine caribou herd's winter habitat in the Yukon; and

• 93 per cent agree that the territorial government should implement a climate change action plan which includes strategies to promote renewable energy resources and energy conservation.

The poll, according to Strategic Communications, is accurate to plus-or-minus 4.8 per cent or 19 times out of 20.

Jim Pojar, the executive director of the Yukon's chapter of CPAWS, said his organization was a little surprised at the number of people who said they want more attention paid to environmental issues.

'We were surprised by the support for conservation issues ... we didn't think it was that high,' he said.

'The results from this survey indicate that Yukoners believe we should protect the environment as a first priority and plan carefully for resource development. We all want a strong economy and at the same time we understand that our future economic security and northern way of life depend on protecting the environment, not damaging it.'

The polls also indicate, Pojar added, that the majority of Yukoners are not happy with the Fentie government's commitment to environmental issues.

'I think it's fair to say the results show some discontent with the current party's performance on the environment,' Pojar said. 'Yukoners want and expect a government that will take decisive action to protect the Yukon environment now and for future generations.'

It is not CPAWS' role, Pojar added, to lobby the government, only to inform it.

Fellow CPAWS member Mac Hislop said he is impressed by the number of people who want more of the territory's natural environment protected.

'These are very encouraging numbers for us. What we found is that 30 per cent of Yukoners wanted to see 30 per cent of the territory protected. Seventy-eight per cent of Yukoners wanted to see more protected areas,' Hislop said.

'Environmental issues are an important battle terrain for the political parties.'

The survey has been discussed with the Liberals and the NDP, Hislop added, but CPAWS has been unable to discuss it with the Fentie government.

'We're hoping the stars will align ...' he said when asked when the group will present its findings to the government.

NDP environment critic Lorraine Peter said today she feels the poll shows clearly that Yukoners are not happy with the government's handling of environment issues.

'We're extremely disappointed the environment hasn't been a priority for the current government; it hasn't even been on their radar,' she said.

'This poll clearly brings a strong message to the current Yukon Party government that Yukoners care about the environment.'

Liberal Leader and environment critic Arthur Mitchell said today that while he is 'leery' to comment on political polls, he feels Yukoners are sending a strong message to politicians that they care about the environment.

'I'm not surprised that the environment is secondary only to the environment,' he said.

'We live in an era where people don't want the mistakes of the past repeated; they want an environment they can pass on to their children.

'We can support resource extraction but we want to develop with 21st-century standards, not 19th-century standards.'

Fentie was out of town and could not be reached for comment this morning.