Mr. Speaker, the member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke has put herself forward for the first time today as the true voice of Yukoners, and I find that rather shocking. If one speaks for an area that one does not represent, it behooves every member here to do research and find out what the people of that region actually want. The people of that region want this bill to pass as soon as possible.

I recommend that the hon. member give a phone call to the president of the Yukon Chamber of Mines, Mike Burke, who has called for this legislation to pass as quickly as possible. If what the previous government forced through the House, violating the rights of first nations, was so massively popular, then perhaps it would be Ryan Leef sitting over there instead of the hon. member for Yukon. This bill was an affront to first nations’ rights.

It is not about promoting development. This is something that all in this House should want to pass as quickly as possible, because the unanimous will of the Yukon legislature is to pass Bill C-17 as quickly as possible.

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On February 26th, 2013, the committee heard testimony from Ted McDormand, an international law professor from the University of Victoria about his expertise on international law of the sea. The committee also heard evidence from representatives the Governments of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon.  The delegates from the territories discussed the importance to northerners of Canada becoming chairperson of the Arctic Council in May 2013 as well as the impact of development on Arctic Canada.  The impact of climate change, increasing shipping traffic and the overall development of infrastructure and resource development were issues discussed by all representatives from the territories.

On February 28th, 2013, the committee heard testimony from witnesses from the Department of Transport and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on icebreaking, search and rescue capabilities environmental disaster response capabilities and climate change adaptability of the Coast Guard and in the North.  A witness from Prolog Canada Inc. provided testimony on transportation in the north and demonstrated to the committee that while there is development in the north, a lack of infrastructure and transportation is hindering development.

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The letter calls on the Premier to support the Final Recommended Plan that was originally submitted by the Planning Commission.

“The Peel itself is intact as a landscape relatively free from human activity. We should do our utmost to preserve it, not just for its beauty, yet also for the service it supplies to our Northern ecosystems under pressure from both climate change and human encroachment,” says May in the letter.

“I appreciate that there are mining interests in the Peel which predate the start of the planning process. I think you can and should be able to resolve the pre-existing claims with creativity and fairness,” adds May.

NOTE: Link to the open letter.

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February 25, 2013

I am writing to you today at the close of the public input period regarding the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan and the new land use designations you have proposed to the public.

I urge you to embrace the Final Recommended Plan that was originally submitted by the Planning Commission.

There are three simple yet critical reasons for my recommendation to you. First is that the Peel itself is intact as a landscape relatively free from human activity. We should do our utmost to preserve it, not just for its beauty, yet also for the service it supplies to our Northern ecosystems under pressure from both climate change and human encroachment.

I appreciate that there are mining interests in the Peel which predate the start of the planning process. I think you can and should be able to resolve the pre-existing claims with creativity and fairness.

The second reason is that under the Umbrella Final Agreement, land use planning became an obligation to work with First Nation Governments. The land use process should honour the spirit and intent of the Umbrella Final Agreement. It is my concern that the new land use designations you have proposed, should you go forward with them, may be divisive and/or challenged.

The final reason has to do with democracy and public service. During the Yukon election in the fall of 2011, the Peel was an issue of debate. At the time you stated that you were concerned about the polarization of the issue and that you would not be providing any detailed comment on the subject as it was in process. You won that election with a majority of seats (although not with a majority of votes).

If you now use your majority government position to adopt a future for the Peel watershed which opens it up for more development, you will break public trust. The mandate you received from Yukoners, is to ensure that the issue is not polarized any further and to carry out the broad will of the public. Your duty is to the whole of the Yukon.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth May, O.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands
Leader of the Green Party of Canada

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The village – the Gateway to Kluane National Park – plans to burn the region’s garbage using Build Canada Fund money secured by the Yukon Government to implement part of its solid waste management action plan.

“Incineration is 20th century technology that converts garbage into other unwanted substances many of which are harmful to human health, such as carcinogens found in the emissions and heavy metals in the toxic ash,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

“The Build Canada Fund is intended to create a stronger economy, strong and prosperous communities, and a cleaner environment. Constructing incinerators with this money seriously undermines the goals of the Build Canada Fund.”

Leader of the Yukon Green Party Kristina Calhoun has expressed overwhelming support for the concerned community members of Haines Junction who are asking the mayor and council to say ‘no’ to incineration.

“The wasteful burning of garbage is unhealthy and unsustainable for our environment and our economy,” Calhoun stated.  “We need only look as far as Mount Lorne to be reminded of that community’s fight to remove its incinerator.

“As we continue to burn waste, we might as well be burning money.  Diverting waste by recycling, composting, and reducing consumption are much better methods for managing our waste and resources.  Diverting waste also creates far more jobs for Yukoners in their communities.”

The Yukon Green Party considers a 75% diversion rate to be entirely attainable and the best fit for Yukon.

In 2009, the Yukon Government undertook an extensive review of its solid waste operations with the objective of modernizing and improving solid waste management in the territory.  The review revealed that Yukoners were strongly opposed to the burning of waste; that diversion should be paramount to disposal, and that waste management alternatives should be developed.

The post May Opposes Incineration in Yukon – Build Canada Fund Burns Garbage appeared first on Elizabeth May.

On Monday, December 5^th, the committee heard testimony from representatives of Gem Steel Edmonton Ltd. And Trinity Helicopters.

On Wednesday, December 7^th, the committee heard testimony from Northwatch and Yukon Chamber of Mines.

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