HAINES JUNCTION – The territorial Liberal party believes residential land should be sold for the cost of development, not market value, says party leader Arthur Mitchell.

In his address to municipal leaders from across the territory at their recent annual conference, the leader of the official Opposition said making land available at the cost of development is necessary to make lots affordable.

The territory, Mitchell said, is in a housing crunch, and Premier Dennis Fentie's Yukon Party government has to bear some responsibility for that because of inaction over the last 10 years.

He also said a Liberal government would be committed to a new recreational facility for Dawson City.

"Clearly, it has been a been a tremendous difficulty for that community to have a recreational centre that just does not work,” he said told community leaders attending the annual meeting of the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC).

Both Mitchell and NDP Leader Liz Hanson took turns pumping their parties with pre-election vigour while knocking the performance of the Yukon Party.

But by the time Hanson was done her critique, Justice Minister Marian Horne had heard enough and popped out of her seat in objection.

"I did not think AYC was a political forum,” Horne complained.

She suggested that allowing the two opposition leaders time to deride the right was unfair because Yukon Party ministers would not have a chance to defend themselves.

Hanson, however, quickly pointed out the ministers would have plenty of time to address the municipal leaders when their turn came up on the agenda.

"I think it is quite legitimate to hear from both opposition parties because we too are elected by the citizens of the Yukon,” Hanson fired back.

The NDP leader cautioned the community leaders about how federal Conservatives and Prime Minister Stephen Harper are moving into a period of financial cutbacks.

The federal budget tabled by Harper but not passed before the May 2 federal election called for $310 million in federal cuts across the North, Hanson pointed out.

"We are not sure where the cuts will end and what the effect will be on the Yukon,” she said. "But we know these cuts will accelerate over the next five years.”

The Yukon government, however, has done nothing to lessen the territory's dependence on Ottawa, she said.

"I do not want dwell on the looming austerity measures, but it is an elephant in the room.”

Hanson said the territorial New Democrats are committed to a style of government that brings everybody to the table to discussion solutions and strategies.

"We have seen poor planning with major expenditures,” she told her audience. "We see capital projects built with no plan for operation and maintenance.”

"... We have the building blocks to do government differently for the benefit of all Yukoners.”

Hanson also emphasized the need for land and housing, among several other initiatives the NDP has put on the top of its list.

The role and potential the First Nations have in building the future of the territory must be recognized, she said.

Hanson there is a need, for instance, to avoid duplicating services provided by communities and First Nations, as was mentioned by Chief James Allen of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations in his opening remarks.

Mitchell said his Liberals will ensure communities have the ability to earn their own revenue through initiatives like generating electricity.

Annual financial contributions to communities from the Yukon government need to be reliable and consistent, said the Liberal leader.

"Municipal government must have the funds they need to build and staff the facilities where people gather.”

Vibrant community centres, said Mitchell, make for healthier communities.

The Liberal leader also promised to support the findings of the committee which released 75 recommendations at the annual meeting regarding how to make a brighter future for the territory's communities.

He also restated his commitment to tie the Yukon electrical grid into B.C., in part to create a more favourable environment for building local generating capacity which could be sold to the North American grid if it wasn't needed in the Yukon.