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CPAWS and the Yukon Conservation Society have collaborated on a set of nine nonpartisan environmentally themed questions that were posed to all territorial parties in advance of the 2016 election. You will find both the questions and the parties’ unaltered answers enclosed.

A process for regional land use planning in the Yukon was laid out in the Umbrella Final Agreement, but to date, only the North Yukon Land Use Plan has been completed. How would your party get regional land use planning back on track?

Without fully accounting for We believe that a critical The Yukon NDP was the only Since the first four Land and respecting the values of missing ingredient in the land party to endorse the Final Claim Agreements were Yukon's natural systems and use planning process is trust. Recommended Peel Plan. We signed in 1993, the Yukon resources - monetarily, A Liberal government would will end the Peel conflict and Party is the only government socially and historically - the respect the Land Use work with Yukon First to achieve a regional land use most sustainable and efficient Planning process established Nations to implement the plan (RLUP), the North use of land within a planning in the Treaties and accept the final plan. The Yukon NDP Yukon RLUP in 2009, in area is often overlooked. The final report of the original will fulfill the commitments collaboration with the Vuntut is Peel Land Use Planning set out in the UFA as well as Gwitchin First Nation. In committed to immediately Commission. We believe the work with First Nation view of the dispute over the commencing planning in all process laid out in the U.F.A. Governments who have not Peel RLUP, on December 1, areas of Yukon. We would is sound and must be signed final agreements. We 2014, both the Trondek restore and enhance public implemented. The current also commit to work with all Hwech'in and Vuntut and First Nations government Yukon government and its stakeholders to develop a Gwitchin First Nations control over resource use, refusal to respect the process process to expedite the mutually agreed to suspend development and the is the sole reason land use completion of land use plans the Dawson RLU planning protection of ecosystems. The planning has gone off track. in Yukon. process and to look for clarity completion of planning would A Liberal government will get before continuing with the encompass full disclosure of out of the courts and work The Yukon NDP recognizes planning process in the all resources and would with First Nations to see the that land use planning is Dawson region. We will include consensus-based Peel and all other land use essential to a healthy await the ruling by the agreements for use, based on plans move forward. Land use economy and environment. Supreme Court of Canada the most sustainable use of planning will be a major before proceeding with resources within a given priority of our Liberal further regional land use planning area. Government. planning. While mining brings revenue into the Yukon, it also has negative impacts on the land and wildlife, and can result in major clean up and maintenance costs when mines are abandoned. How would your party improve mining in the Yukon to minimize environmental harm?

The Yukon Green Party Yukon Liberals recognize the The Yukon NDP supports The Yukon Party government would minimize contribution of the mining mining. We echo Yukoners’ initiated two major mining environmental impacts from industry and believe it will be expectation that mining and environmental mining by: ~ continuing to an important part of our companies play by the rules, improvements: the Mine fund academic geology, data economy for many years to employ Yukoners, benefit Licensing Improvement collection and continual come. Full implementation of Yukon businesses, and clean Initiative (MLII) and the progression and development existing mining regulations up when they are done. It is Mineral Development of best mining practices ~ and environmental government’s job to ensure Strategy (MDS). MLII favouring small mines over assessments will go a long that mining is done in an examines policies governing large, and long term way towards protecting environmentally sustainable closures and security extraction over short ~ Yukon's environment from manner. We will respect the payments required for site adopting a 'Best Practices' undue harm. We believe that recommendations of clean up if companies are certification process to ensure mining and development in environmental assessment unable to complete individuals and companies are general must be balanced bodies like YESAB and the reclamation themselves. able to reduce negative with strong environmental Yukon Water Board. We Closure plans are reviewed impacts, which would stewardship. We do not believe the Yukon has a and security payments are include, among other things, support the practice of the strong environmental recalculated every two years. that no permits are issued to current Government of protection regime that is not MDS guides the long-term plans involving tailings ponds Yukon, which allowed being used to its full development of the mining and instead favour dry companies to delay the potential. We will develop a industry and covers stacking ~ rewarding the payment of required security wetlands policy and conduct environmental stewardship, entrepreneurial spirit and bonds. Security deposits land use planning to clarify regulatory streamlining, respect for nature that many where necessary will be land use purposes. We will business climate, small scale miners have required when permits are separate environmental infrastructure and workforce through voluntary adherence issued and will be sufficient oversight from mining training. Both MLII and MDS to the 'Best Practices' to cover the company's promotion within the have full First Nation, Water certification process. obligations. Government of Yukon. Board, YESAB and industry engagement.

What is your party’s position on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and conventional oil and gas development in the Yukon?

Our policy, which is available A Liberal government The Yukon NDP will We believe in responsible at yukongreenparty.ca, clearly believes that sustainable permanently ban hydraulic resource development and states: energy is the path forward for fracturing. An NDP that oil and gas can play an the Yukon. We would place Government will not important role in growing and 1. Place a permanent an immediate moratorium on subsidize conventional oil and diversifying our economy. moratorium on coal bed fracking in Yukon and a gas development. The onus is While we are open to methane projects and shale Liberal government would on the oil and gas proponent responsible shale gas bed gas exploration and not any issue permits for to develop an independent development, we would only production - ban fracking. fracking. We are supportive of business case, successfully allow this activity to occur in 2. Institute a moratorium on the collaborative land use raise the necessary capital and the Liard basin where natural oil and gas exploration. planning process, and meet the high standards gas development has occurred 3. Enact a moratorium on therefore would permit necessary to pass through for decades. We believe that pipelines to, from and conventional oil and gas YESAB, get a water license any shale gas development through Yukon. development in Eagle Plains and satisfy all other socio- activity must have the 4. Phase out imports of oil, in conjunction with the economic and environmental support of affected First gas and fossil fuels in general Vuntut Gwitchin First assessment requirements. Nations. We will continue to and replace them with Nation. We would also The Yukon NDP is clear that implement the Oil & Gas renewable energy. continue the moratorium on renewable energy is the Action Plan that includes 5. Invest in renewable energy oil and gas development in future for Yukon both in expanding groundwater and energy efficiency that the Trough. We terms of meeting our climate monitoring and seismic data, shifts Yukon to a will put programs in place to commitments, providing seeking expert advice to decarbonized economy. transition the Yukon towards clean energy and creating confirm that baseline a post-carbon future. employment opportunities for information is adequate, and Yukon. ensuring that regulatory processes will protect human health and the environment.

Yukon political leaders were in Paris last year for the UN conference, where Canada and the world agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit global warming to 1.5-2°C and avoid catastrophic climate change impacts. How would your party make the Yukon a leader in achieving this goal?

By adopting any one of the The Government of Canada The Yukon NDP believes that The Yukon Party takes many great policies in our has indicated it will introduce climate change is the biggest climate change seriously and platform, available at a price on carbon by 2018. challenge facing the Yukon, will build on our record of yukongreenparty.ca, the Like all Canadians, we want and that the solution lies in taking significant action to Yukon could become a to do our part. We would renewable energy. make Yukon a leader in glittering example of climate work respectfully with climate change adaptation, change action and adaptation. Canada to implement that It will allow us to transition mitigation and scientific Greens would start by national plan, while ensuring away from fossil fuels and research. We do however, implementing a revenue that any revenue is rebated create good paying, oppose Ottawa’s plan to neutral or fee and dividend back to Yukoners. sustainable jobs. Yukon impose a carbon tax on carbon tax of $30/tonne and We will accurately measure Government capital projects Yukoners because it will do increase that by $10/tonne emissions and make sure this will come with expectation very little to reduce emissions per year. We would then shift information is public. We for built in renewable energy. and will dramatically increase taxes away from things we would also update Yukon’s We will provide funding to Yukoners’ cost of living. We want, like jobs, and onto Climate Change Action Plan Yukon First Nations support retrofitting buildings things we don't want, like and Energy Strategy to Governments, municipalities, and homes to reduce our pollution. Our next step establish greenhouse gas private industry and members emissions while also creating would be to transfer all reduction targets including of the public to develop their jobs and economic activity. current subsidies from oil, intensity based targets for own renewable capacity and We will also work to increase gas, mining and other large industry, and measure the transition away from fossil our supply of renewable polluting industries to results and report publicly to fuels. energy with programs like the environmentally, socially and achieve our goals. We plan to microgeneration policy that economically net positive introduce significant incentive will help Yukoners install programs. We would also programs to encourage energy energy projects on their actively participate in the conservation and efficiency. homes. Western Regional Climate Action Initiative. In the consultations on Next Generation Hydro, there was opposition to large hydro and strong support for smaller hydroelectric sites and other forms of renewable energy. What is your party’s vision for meeting the territory’s future energy needs?

The YGP sees smaller scale Yukon Liberals will promote The Next Generation Hydro The Yukon Party is proud of and regionally managed energy policies that primarily Project consultation our record on the promotion energy projects with great source future needs from demonstrated that social and development of efforts being made to reduce renewable technologies, such license for large scale hydro renewable energy in Yukon. overall energy demands and as small-hydro, wind, solar, does not exist in Yukon. While our current hydro- use our existing energy and geothermal sources, During the open houses electricity assets have served resources more efficiently. positioning the territory as a Yukoners voiced their support Yukon well, it is time to begin We would focus on renewable energy leader in for small scale projects. The planning for the future, which conservation first, renewables Canada. Yukon Liberals will Yukon NDP’s vision is for an is why the Yukon Party second and then push for be implementing a major array of scalable renewable support the Next Generation enhanced efficiency codes. solar pilot program and move energy projects such as wind, Hydro project to chart a We would invest in forward with small solar, geothermal, small scale course and allow Yukoners to renewables in all renewables that meet the hydro, biomass and biomass make informed decisions communities, set goals to energy needs of a growing gasification that are cheaper about our energy future. achieve energy independence territory. We will support IPP and can provide regional While we hope a new hydro- with achievable time lines and projects that fit into the small green job benefits. electric facility will help meet take into account unique renewable category. We will future energy demand, we requirements and assets. work with the Federal also believe that a range of Also, require that Yukon's government to source funding smaller projects could be energy needs are met before for conservation, renewables incorporated. We support foreign energy sales took and energy storage. With programs like the place and legislate that energy storage, renewables Independent Power Producer Yukon's energy providers make even more economic Policy and the serve Yukoner's first and sense. We will explore grid microgeneration policy to foremost with independent connections to other help achieve this. industries and corporations jurisdictions. providing their own power.

The Yukon lacks an active territory wide conservation strategy for protecting wildlife and important natural areas. How would your party address this gap?

A Green government would One way we will protect The Yukon NDP is keenly The Yukon Party committed enshrine the right to a wildlife is to enact a Yukon aware of the lack of to work within the framework healthy environment in the Species at Risk Act. Second, protection for much of the established by the UFA to Human Rights Commission we will establish an Yukon’s wilderness. Rather protect Yukon's wilderness by mandate, which in itself Independent Task Force on than one overarching plan we working with the Fish & would offer protection for our Economic Enhancement and will use a number of Wildlife Management Board, land and wildlife. We would Environmental Sustainability, mechanisms to protect regional Renewable Resource increase our parks and comprised of representatives Yukon's vast wilderness. We Councils and individual First protected areas, including of private industry, will: Nations to implement their aquatic environments, to 20% environmental groups, First agreements. Through this of the land base within 10 Nations, the scientific a. Use the Territorial Lands work we have designated the years. We would create jobs community and Act to create special Devil's Elbow and Big Island in all Yukon communities municipalities, to recommend management areas in areas of the Stewart River and that monitor pollution, sustainable economic and sensitive parts of Yukon to Ts'alwnjik Chu, a 30-km long protect species at risk and environmental practices and protected areas. stretch of the Nordenskiold enforce fish and wildlife standards. This new body b. We will finalize River as Habitat Protection regulations. We would pass would be mandated to implementation of the habitat Areas. We have signed strong Species at Risk address any identified gaps as protection areas set out under accords addressing the Legislation that would well. Finally, the land use chapter 10 of the First Nation Fishing Branch Management include appropriate habitat planning process can and will Final Agreements like Ddhaw Plan and the North Yukon protection and eliminate be used to protect important Ghro. Regional Land Use Plan. We sport and trophy hunting of at natural areas of the territory. c. We will work with Yukon will continue to respect the risk animals. And many more First Nation Governments, framework outlined in the things which you can read citizens, and stakeholders to UFA and work with our First about in our policy book at develop a territorial wetlands Nation partners. yukongreenparty.ca. policy. d. We will implement Yukon Species at Risk Legislation.

Wetlands have enormous economic and environmental value but they are also one of the ecosystems most threatened by human activities. Will your party commit to developing a Yukon wetland policy?

Yes the Yukon Green Party Yes. We intend to develop a Yes. The Yukon NDP The Yukon Party Government will commit to a Yukon policy for managing Yukon acknowledges the need for a was proud to develop the Wetland Policy. We will also wetlands, including support Yukon wetland policy. Yukon Water Strategy and protect the Peel, remove the for wetland inventory and Action Plan which allowed us ability for Yukon waters to monitoring, in partnership to make historic investments have any claim of sovereignty with other governments, in surface and groundwater by any other jurisdiction or stakeholders and the public. monitoring stations corporation through resisting This is a commitment throughout the Yukon. As a bulk water exports, prioritize outlined in the Yukon Water result we know more about the protection, filtration and Strategy. Yukon’s groundwater than infrastructure maintenance ever before and are happily required for ensuring a sharing that information with drinkable fresh water supply, the public in exciting new create multi-skill level jobs in ways. That Action Plan, waterway management in all which we are in the midst of Yukon communities from implementing, included a waterway cleaners, monitors commitment to develop a and managers to water policy for managing Yukon testing, enforcement and wetlands including support research positions and ensure for wetland inventory and that these jobs can be monitoring, in partnership certified locally through with industry and other levels Yukon college or distance of government. We will learning. Check out enthusiastically continue with yukongreenparty.ca for more this work if re-elected. wise water policy.

With wise stewardship, the Yukon’s wilderness can provide economic opportunities for generations to come. How would your party strengthen the conservation economy and opportunities for wilderness experiences?

One way the Yukon Green We recognize the economic The Yukon NDP believes that The Yukon Party is Party would strengthen the impact and potential for Yukon’s economy and committed to ensuring a conservation economy and growth of outfitting and environment are intrinsically balanced approach for access wilderness opportunities is wilderness tourism. We will linked. A Yukon NDP to land. The Yukon Party through 'slow' tourism which make the temporary two-year Government established the believes that activities based focuses on quality, not tourism marketing funds Yukon Council on the on the extraction of natural quantity. We would support permanent and increase the Economy and the resources, such as placer Dawson's bid to become a annual core marketing fund Environment (YCEE) under mining, hard-rock mining, UNESCO world heritage site, from $5 million to $7 million. the Environment Act. The forestry, trapping and the development of culinary Another plan to expand Yukon Party disbanded this outfitting, are critical to the tourism to support local food wilderness experiences is to council. The YCEE is future of Yukon, and we will and agricultural producers market the territory’s referenced in the UFA. Re- stand up for these industries. and the establishment of an community-based trail establishing the YCEE with a We are also committed to Eco-tourism industry in systems. refreshed mandate will working with communities Yukon by encouraging achieve the goal of and the tourism sector to education and funding for Finally, we will expand our strengthening the grow Yukon's economy by product development, existing campground and conservation economy and expanding tourism marketing creating regulation and hiking/biking trail growing opportunities for opportunities through accreditation programs and infrastructure, to encourage wilderness viewing sustainable tourism strategies for international more tourists to vacation in experiences. initiatives. marketing and promotion. the territory. Eco-tourism We would also commission opportunities along with Arts an Aboriginal Tourism and Culture tourism can strategy in order to support a expand our current base and sustainable First Nations provide low impact tourism and cultural events opportunities to grow our industry. economy. Territorial parks depend on stable funding to ensure that wildlife and plant species are being adequately managed and preserved. How would your party support the health of Yukon’s parks?

As stated, the Yukon Green We share your assessment of While the increased interest Most of Yukon’s parks were Party's first priority would be the importance of stable in Yukon’s territorial parks is created through First Nations to expand our parks and funding for territorial parks. great. The Yukon NDP Land Claims and are co- protected areas, including Yukon Liberals have no plans recognizes the need to ensure managed with respective aquatic environments, to 20% to cut funding from these that funding to our territorial Yukon First Nations. In each of the land base within 10 vital services. We intend to parks (including staffing) park the Yukon Party will years. First priority would go look at the financial books, keeps pace with increased continue to work with the to areas of cultural or historic left by the current pressures on our land, respective First Nation to significance, and unique or government, to determine wildlife and plant species that create management plans that sensitive flora and fauna in what resources might be make Yukon’s parks such consider the management and close consultation with First available to make special places, now, and into preservation of wildlife Nations and the Yukon enhancements to these the future. species and plants and to public. During this time the services. It is vital that our implement those plans with YGP would renew Yukon parks are healthy for the long appropriate funding. We will Parks and campgrounds by term. also ensure that Yukon parks restoring and improving remain available as interpretive services and recreational opportunities for increasing the number of Yukon citizens where ranger and conservation appropriate. Some Parks are officer staff. We would fund home to campgrounds and we the development of new will continue to invest in our walking and hiking trails in campgrounds to ensure all Yukon communities, Yukoners enjoy some of the campgrounds and parks, as best outdoor recreational well as fund programming opportunities in North offering guided day hikes. America.