Having visited the territory for the first time late last month, Ramsey Hart, Mining Watch Canada's program co-ordinator says it's clear mining interests have a huge influence on the political front – to the point of eclipsing other issues.

"There needs to be more balance,” Hart said in an interview Monday from his Ottawa office.

He has a good working relationship with a number of organizations in the territory, including the Yukon Conservation Society, Hart said.

However, he hadn't visited the territory yet, so he made the trip to see various mining areas. He also aimed to strengthen his organization's relationships with groups like the YCS and work toward new relationships.

While in the Yukon, Hart learned there needs to be a broader discussion, and consultation needs to occur with Yukon First Nations where activity is happening in their traditional land.

That became clear Sept. 19, Hart said, when the Supreme Court of Canada denied the Yukon government's request for an appeal of the Yukon Court of Appeal decision last December in favour of the Ross River Dena Council that there was a duty to consult the First Nation before claims can be staked in its traditional territory.

Work also needs to be done to the Quartz Mining Act and the Placer Mining Act, Hart emphasized.

He stressed the need to ensure the rehabilitation plan in place for mines in the territory "is rock solid” so that Yukoners don't get stuck with a bill for years to come.

There have been "some improvements” over the years to ensure better cleanups of mines in the territory, Hart said.

However, he pointed out that devolution means it could be the Yukon that's on the hook for any rehabilitation efforts. That's why it's so important to ensure there are provisions and cash coming from the mines to clean up after the mines have closed, he said.

He noted Ontario has recently made changes to its mining legislation and Quebec is doing so as well.

The two provinces could be looked at when determining what changes could be made in the Yukon, he said, noting he'll be providing information to the groups he met with on those jurisdictions.

Along with continuing to work with groups Mining Watch Canada has already been involved with in the Yukon, Hart said he is also hoping to continue building relationships with others he met, such as the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation in Dawson.