Photo by Whitehorse Star
Jonas Smith
Premier won't attend environmental forum
Premier Darrell Pasloski will not be attending Tuesday evening's environmental forum, according to Jonas Smith,the Yukon Party's campaign manager.
Premier Darrell Pasloski will not be attending Tuesday evening's environmental forum, according to Jonas Smith,the Yukon Party's campaign manager.
Smith told the Star this morning that the event's main organizers, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the Yukon Conservation Society (YCS), have already "set the tone” for the debate with their recent anti-mining ads .
"We know we're going to be targeted,” he said.
The full-page ads, which ran in both the Star and the Yukon News last week, read, "My Yukon floats when mining sinks”.
"Mining is an integral part of our history, culture and economy,” said Smith. "That's a pretty bold statement.”
Karen Baltgailis, executive director of the YCS, confirmed that the leaders of the NDP and the Liberal and Green parties will all be present. Gerald Dickson, the leader of the territory's newest political party, the Yukon First Nation Party, has not responded to the invitation.
The Yukon Party will, according to Smith, be sending a "surprise” representative to tomorrow evening's event.
The party did provide responses to the two pre-debate questions sent by event organizers. The questions asked each party whether they will accept the final recommendations for the Peel watershed and what they will do to mitigate the social and environmental impacts of the Yukon's "unprecedented mining boom”.
NDP Leader Liz Hanson and Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell are unimpressed with Pasloski's decision.
"It's unfortunate,” Hanson said at a press conference this morning.
"People are expecting to hear the leaders — the people who are seeking to be the premier of this territory. I am seeking to be the leader of this territory and will show the leadership that's required. I will be at the forum and participate fully.”
Mitchell said Yukoners deserve to know where their political leaders stand on all issues.
"While Mr. Pasloski has been premier for the past 106 days, we've heard very little from him on his party's position on environmental issues. They seem intent on dodging these questions, particularly ones about the Peel,” Mitchell said in a press release.
The environmental forum is being organized by CPAWS, YCS, Friends of McIntyre Creek, the Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon and Raven Recycling.
Baltgailis said last week the event is being organized because the environment is "obviously an issue in the election.”
She said that mining is opening a Pandora's box of issues. Yukoners need to know where new power will come from and what the industry's impact on wildlife and water will be, said Baltgailis.
Tomorrow's all-party environmental forum will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the High Country Inn.
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Comments (9)
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Billy Polson on Sep 27, 2011 at 11:38 am
The party that promises to get something from these explorationist and mining companies that are driving demand for housing in this City beyond reason (I mean really 400K+ for a 30 yr old house...in the Yukon? Design and age require most need retro's....aside from the cheese factor) Most of these companies will be gone in a few years, with only a few mines open...and then there's the price of gold to consider.
To the Parties, grow some sack and impose real $ figures for these explor/mining companies to have the right to run all over this Territory and then leave with environmental ruin in their wake and all the profits.
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Native Capitalist on Sep 27, 2011 at 9:45 am
Good show Mr Pasloski, the above organizations already have their views and they are well known to everyone. What would be new at this event? Nothing but the same old mine-bashing and dead end eco-tourism jobs rhetoric.
As for the Yukon FN party, gimme a break. Why is that even mentioned? A party that only favours one group within the Yukon? Wow, reminds me of the Bloc and look where that got them.
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susan rogan on Sep 27, 2011 at 8:13 am
This is an event put on by environmentalists who said something nasty about his friends, so he isn't going. Note to Pasloski: there are more people than simply CPAWS and YCS who are truly interested in what you, OUR PREMIER, have to say about the environment!
What does that say about the Yukon Party? If you are not a YP cheerleader, they want nothing to do with you and see no reason to communicate with you. How is that going to pan out for the future?
It is pathetic to see that Darryl is no different that Fentie who refused to lower himself to talk to any Yukoner who did not see the world exactly as he does. Mr. Pasloski is flipping us off and believes we are just bovine enough to vote him in anyway. Daddy knows best and he'll decide with his friends what needs to be done. And it's none of your business what he thinks.
I already decided not to vote Yukon Party, and this is exactly why. It is nothing but a party of insiders, for insiders, everyone else can pound sand.
Really sad. Please consider voting for change in our government. It is long overdue. This cancellation proves it.
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Joel on Sep 27, 2011 at 6:32 am
I have been thinking long and hard about the Yukon party not being willing to say what they are thinking for the Peel.
Initially, I thought they were pro mining and didn't want to say that they would not be following the Peel planning document, which is fine with me. If they release that they are only planning to protect 60% of the Peel, people would become upset.
Recently, I started thinking a little different...what would happen if they are going to accept the Peel planning document the same as everyone else? They wouldn't want to release that info since alot of their votes are coming from people who support mining and those votes might go away because of that.
I know one thing that I will personally not vote Yukon Party since I don't like not knowing what they are planning on doing. I have no idea yet who I will vote for, but it will definitely not be them.
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Victor on Sep 27, 2011 at 4:29 am
Whats the matter Darrell?
Tuton got your tongue?
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Fred Statham on Sep 26, 2011 at 11:56 pm
I wonder who the surprise candidate is going to be.....Dennis Fentie.....go ahead, make my day....Mitchell will sweep the floor with him or whoever they choose....
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YukonMax on Sep 26, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Like Harper and Bush, the Yukon Party will be re-elected. The peel will be mined and the revenues will get out of the territory. Since greed, corruption and deception are catching up to the last frontier, our love and respect for the wilderness, is all but a fading memory. It's all very depressing.
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Francias Pillman on Sep 26, 2011 at 9:10 am
Want more proof of how Darryl is not a leader? Please go back to shoppers drug mart.
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JC on Sep 26, 2011 at 8:59 am
One thing that really amazes me is why the labour unions support the NDP and when they get elected they shut down industry and put thousands of workers out of work. That has to be the 8th wonder of something. And Liz Hanson is getting ready to do the same. I hope those welfare bums, tent city dwellers and other leeches will be able to support an NDP government if it gets elected.