Photo by Vince Fedoroff
NDP TABLES MOTIONS – NDP MLA Emily Tredger (far right) addresses the legislature last Thursday while NDP Leader Kate White (bottom) turns around to listen. The NDP caucus introduced 20 motions pertaining to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Yukon NDP used last Thursday’s first day of the fall sitting of the legislative assembly to call for the Liberal government to move faster on implementing the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The Yukon NDP used last Thursday’s first day of the fall sitting of the legislative assembly to call for the Liberal government to move faster on implementing the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
All three members of the NDP caucus introduced motions – 20 in all – pertaining to the TRC.
“These calls to action are not optional if we want to forge a path toward respectful and meaningful government-to-government relationship,” said NDP Leader Kate White.
“The Yukon government has a huge role to play in setting the bar higher than where it currently is. It is high time we get the work done.”
Annie Blake, the NDP MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, added “The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action is a pivotal document that holds all people accountable, including government, to ensure we bring forward truth on our shared history in this country.
“We have and continue to hear the painful stories of residential school survivors in our territory and across Canada.
“We all carry the responsibility to understand and implement every call to action in a way that is meaningful while ensuring the history of residential schools does not repeat itself. We owe this to our children, our children’s children and their children.”
NDP MLA Emily Tredger chipped in with, “It’s important to reflect on history. It’s even more important to act. I urge the government to close the gaps that have existed for too long between First Nations and non-First Nations Yukoners on so many levels – such as health, education, access to services, and so on.
“So many people have been waiting for too long.”
The party members said that out of the 32 Calls to Action that are under the Yukon government’s jurisdiction, only 10 have seen action taken toward completion or have been completed so far.
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Comments (15)
Up 3 Down 3
Al on Oct 18, 2021 at 12:09 pm
@ Closer Look
Actually you did not look at the expenses of all the MLA's - that is because Cabinet Ministers use their office for travel and other per diems that cross over to their respective ridings. So their expenses are not coming out of the Leg budget. It works that way with every government we have had. It is not nefarious - just the way the process is set up.
While Whitehorse MLA's rarely have next to nothing to report that is not true for Silver and other's in rural communities.
As for where I work? Actually I am not beholden to anyone - in fact I am retired. The one thing I am not is obsessed as you are over Brad's expenses. I tried to reason with you to look beyond your obsession but I can see that hasn't, and likely won't work. The one thing I will tell you though is Brad has received the most percentage of votes of any candidate in any riding since he stepped into the political arena. That tells me, along with what I hear from those in his riding that he is doing an exceptional job.
Frankly I don't care if you do not agree with me. My note is more for the general readership.
Up 4 Down 1
Closer Look on Oct 17, 2021 at 2:09 pm
@Al You and "Yukoner" need to make up your minds. First you say "why don't you look into other MLAs expenses" to "Yukoner32", then when I step in and actually do that and explain it all to you, you say "Never mind who claimed what" and then go on a long rant in a desperate attempt to justify this craziness. I'm going to guess that maybe you work in Cathers' office. No one else would be trying to explain how his money making scheme is morally right.
Up 2 Down 5
Joe on Oct 15, 2021 at 10:32 pm
@yukoner32... the federal election was unnecessary, a Yukon territorial election is necessary to end this pension plan coalition, crazy spending, unnecessary mandates and all the ethical issues that keep plaguing the liberal. Call an election, let’s get the Yukon back on track.
Up 6 Down 8
Al on Oct 15, 2021 at 12:23 pm
@ Closer Look
Never mind who claimed what - besides you are taking a very narrow approach. The issue (if there is even one) rests with the MLA's as a body that set the rules. If they agree that travel expenses for fuel for a member in a rural riding is appropriate - then so be it. It would be highly unlikely the rules would permit Brad (for instance) to have a housing allowance in Whitehorse. Of course if he did then I suspect you would bitch about that as well. If you want recourse to the MLA's as a whole.
One other thing - part of the Laberge riding abuts City Limits north and south of the Klondike and the Alaska Highway. There are no communities, just rural properties.
By the way the previous MLA was a cabinet minister and he received loads of other benefits regarding travel.
You need to be very careful about comparing apples to oranges as well. The Committee's rules have changed over the years to reflect the cost of living as well as issues pertaining to a host of other expenses that previously may not have been considered.
Look, I am not defending anyone but I do appreciate the fact that what is being spent is open and transparent for all to see. Unlike the current government that hides behind everything and buries what they don't want you to see.
Up 13 Down 4
Closer Look on Oct 14, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Hey Al,
Thats a good suggestion, to read up on expenses for the MLAs. I just did.
Turns out that Scott Kent who lives about as far away as Cathers only claimed $4,000. John Streicker who also lives out there claimed just slightly less than that. Technically they might even live farther than Cathers, so why did they claim so much less than him? And why didn't they claim any food costs like he did?
Lastly, I looked up the person who represented Laberge prior to Cathers, and in their last year, they claimed a measly $800.
So how do you explain all of this? Also, how do you explain him claiming money for 69 trips into Whitehorse in the month of May in 2019? This was specifically outside the time that the legislature was sitting as well. This means he drove back and forth to Whitehorse more than once a day, every day that month. Sure it might be technically allowed but no one in their right mind would say it's appropriate!
I'll even help with the research for anyone interested, see here, https://yukonassembly.ca/sites/default/files/inline-files/sp-34-3-33-TravelReport2019-20.pdf
Up 7 Down 11
TheHammer on Oct 14, 2021 at 6:55 pm
Truth, I haven't met a Canadian yet that knows the truth about First Nations, other than famous anthropologists. The whole country is in a state of denial, and leading the charge is the institution supposedly responsible for upholding the truth. If the church refuses to acknowledge the truth, what can you expect from Godless politicians.
Up 10 Down 8
AL on Oct 14, 2021 at 3:19 pm
@ Blathers
Take some time out of your boring life and read up on the authority for expenses approved by the Legislative Assembly. The Members Services Board (made up of member MLA's) reviews the policy and procedures and makes recommendations to all members as to per diem, expenses covered, housing, mileage, etc. No-one member creates/or has a "special privilege".
However, I don't direct this at you because I know you are fixated on the non-truth. My comment is for the broader readership, most of whom have a greater understanding and appreciation that the world is in fact round and not flat is you may likely think it is.
By the way, you can change your scribe handle a million times we still know it is the same person authoring your nonsense comments about members rights. So if you want to crap on someone then you have to crap on all the members of the Legislative Assy.
Up 10 Down 10
Yukoner on Oct 14, 2021 at 2:20 pm
@Blathers: you might want to look into the Premiers and other non-Whitehorse MLA's per diems - it's not only Brad that is entitled to, and claiming, that I am sure.
Up 12 Down 10
Blathers on Oct 14, 2021 at 11:54 am
@Yukoner32
Speaking of PorkBarelling. Brad’s per diems for his daily commute is costing Yukoners $25k/year. That’s more than many Yukoners take home working.
Up 16 Down 5
Facts on Oct 13, 2021 at 2:22 pm
@Yukoner32
You mean the leader who has a snow contract in his home town that is overseen by his wife? Is that the real world experience you speak of? How is he supposed to be an MLA and plow snow.
Up 16 Down 11
Bill on Oct 13, 2021 at 11:41 am
@Yukon32
You need to get yourself a job my friend. Your drivel does not impress anyone except your Liberal friends who are of the same ilk as you...
Up 17 Down 16
Wilf Carter on Oct 13, 2021 at 11:34 am
The pain that the Federals NDP and liberals are creating for FN's, seniors, disabled, Unemployed, sick, now needs to be addressed with so why only have truth and reconciliation for all peoples now? There are 1.6 million people in Canada in need and Federal NDP and liberals support other people in other countries first.
Up 14 Down 25
Yukoner32 on Oct 13, 2021 at 12:12 am
You want an election Joe? I guess its safe to say you weren't one of those people saying the federal election was unnecessary then right?
As for pension plans, if you want a real horror story, check what Brad Cathers pension would be now after 20 years at the trough. That fella is the definition of a career politician! Not that Creepy Currie has any more private sector experience than him though I suppose. The Yukon Party should have kept Stacy as leader. He was the only one with any experience in the real world aka private sector.
Up 37 Down 6
Al on Oct 12, 2021 at 4:41 pm
I ask a simple but relevant question. These 20 motions - are they tied to increased demand on our financial resources on YTG?
Ms White you have a responsibility when tabling such motions to identify costing. It is simply poor management to throw a plan out that doesn't factor in costs, both financially and socially. It is called a "Cost Benefit Analysis". Or, is that you simply do not care what the cost is? Is your aim is perhaps to score political points rather than value driven motions that is thought out and achievable?
Up 58 Down 11
joe on Oct 12, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Hey NDP.. you want an action government? Scrap your liberal pension plan coalition before the pension dates so the liberals listen or even pretend to care. Better yet let's call another election. That would be action.