The Yukon Party is accusing Environment Minister Nils Clarke of “breaking the promise” to build a large campground within a two-hour drive of Whitehorse.

“Last spring, the minister of Environment told Yukoners they should get excited about work underway to select a new campground location,” the YP said late last week.

“The 2020 Yukon Parks Strategy, unveiled after consultation with a cross-section of Yukoners including First Nations, called for a recreation park within two hours of Whitehorse that would contain up to 150 campsites among other amenities.

“While money for work on a new Yukon campground was included in last year’s five-year capital plan, campers will be disappointed to know that it has disappeared from the Liberal budget documents.”

According to the official Op-position, “the minister confirmed in the legislature on March 9 that he would not deliver a new campground as he had promised. Instead, he said the government was looking to expand existing campgrounds that are already overcapacity.”

Since the release of the Parks Strategy three years ago, “Yukoners have been getting excited at the idea of a new campground in the Yukon,” said YP environment critic Wade Istchenko.

“Now, it seems that the minister couldn’t get it done, and the Liberal government is looking at the expansion of existing campgrounds.

“This raises many other concerns around over-crowding, useful or available space, and potential impacts to residents who may be nearby.”

Clarke told question period last Thursday, “We are engaging with impacted First Nations. We are having these important discussions to create opportunities.

“We will not be developing lands where we do not have the support of the impacted First Nation governments.”

Cabinet communications staff said in a statement this morning the government is “concerned about the Yukon Party’s lack of understanding of what constitutes a promise.’

“On April 6, 2022, minister Clarke noted our government had invited six Yukon First Nations to discuss possible new campground locations and partnership opportunities with the Yukon Parks branch.

“Minister Clarke was clear no final decision had been made as discussions were ongoing with the First Nations who would be impacted by a possible new campground.”

The statement advised the Yukon Party to “take another look at the budget documents.

“Yukoners will still find funding set aside for ‘Development of Yukon campground’ in our five-year capital plan for 2023-24.

“Our government has built strong, respectful government-to-government relationships with Yukon First Nations to foster reconciliation.

“We continue to collaboratively explore ways to enhance our parks system for years to come,” the statement added.

“We are in the process of completing conceptual designs for potential expansions and recreational activities at several campgrounds, and Yukon Parks continues to engage with First Nations on various business models in regards to furthering the Yukon Parks Strategy and delivering on our commitments.

“It is rich that when he was Environment minister, the leader of the official Opposition, Currie Dixon, tried to bulldoze ahead with his poorly conceived plan for a campground on the shore of Atlin Lake in 2014,” the statement said.

“The Taku River Tlingit First Nation, who said they were not meaningfully consulted, sued the Yukon Party government and that campground, which was supposed to open in May 2015, never came to be.

“Our government will not be taking advice on campground development from the Yukon Party. It is critical to work with First Nations when a potential new campground would be on their traditional territory, and we will continue to do this work.”