The Yukon government has all but shut the door on lending financial support to a proposed emergency youth shelter in Whitehorse.

On Wednesday, Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart sent a letter to Vicki Durrant, director of the Youth of Today Society (YOTS), the group behind the shelter dubbed Angels' Nest, informing Durrant that, "the Yukon government cannot justify investing in your proposal."

The society is ready to purchase the Hide on Jeckell guest house but needed a three-year, $1.4-million commitment from the Yukon government to secure a $375,000-grant from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. to close the deal.

As well as providing a safe place to sleep for up to 18 youth aged 18-24, the Angels' Nest proposed to provide addictions and life skills counselling and assistance finding long-term housing.

Hart's letter appears to be the minister's final word on the matter, as he has since refused all interview requests, including one from the Star.

"That was the reason he made his response public," said Matthew Grant, of the cabinet communications staff.

With a rally for the shelter planned for 4 p.m. today in front of the Yukon government administration building, Durrant is holding little hope it will change the minds of decision-makers.

"I just want the government to know there are people out there who do support this," said Durrant.

The current letter writing back-and-forth began on Aug. 27, with a communication from deputy Health minister Stuart Whitley about the YOTS proposal, which Hart's Wednesday letter briefly reiterates.

Last Thursday afternoon, a group of female protesters entered the government building in an attempt to change Hart's mind about the shelter.

After building security was called to evict the protesters, which included a 70-year-old aboriginal elder, the visitors agreed to leave if their letter could be delivered to Hart, who was in Quebec City at the time.

Hart's response to that missive said the YOTS proposal lacks a "needs analysis", detailed budget and "reasons why (the) proposal is considerably more expensive than existing shelter options."

But Durrant, who co-founded YOTS in 1999 and under its auspices operates the Blue Feather youth drop-in centre, said the "needs analysis" came in the form of $191,000 the government provided the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre outreach project early this year.

"That's what the pilot project's purpose was, and 30 people have used the service this year," Durrant added of the program that finds emergency shelter and counselling for youth at several locations around Whitehorse, but does not have a permanent facility.

Hart's suggestion that she direct "youth at risk to many programs currently in place to address their needs, including Skookum Jim's ... Many Rivers Youth Outreach Workers ... Bringing Youth Towards Equality, the Boys' and Girls' Club, as well as the Journey Far Carving Program," is confusing, said Durrant.

"None of these programs are providing what we are proposing to provide," she said. "A carving program is great but it's not really doing anything for a girl who's having sex for a place to sleep each night."

Durrant, who ran unsuccessfully three times for the Yukon Party in territorial elections, is now questioning the work she did for the party, including helping to craft its social policy.

"I guess that was a big waste of time," she said.