Silver's U.S. Relations Mission Called a Failure

Tuesday, 13 June 2017 08:58

Premier Sandy Silver admits he could not secure commitments on ANWR protection or Shakwak funding.

Premier Sandy Silver’s U-S relations mission to Washington D.C. last week is being called a failure by the opposition. After receiving unfavourable press coverage of his trip, Silver rose in the Legislature Monday to highlight the positives, but opened himself to an unnecessary attack by the Yukon Party. Interim Party leader Stacey Hassard says Silver came back empty handed.

“By the Premier’s own standards of success, his trip was a failure. We wish it wasn’t, but at the end of the day, the Premier returned home empty-handed and he has to be accountable for that.”

Silver, as chair of the Council of the Federation was obligated to lead a delegation of Canada’s Premiers to D.C. He wanted to pressure U.S. Alaskan lawmakers on increased protection in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, home to the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. The Vuntut Gwich’in for decades have been lobbying Washington for added protection in the wake of threats to drill for oil and gas.

Silver’s additional priority was to secure more U.S. road money for the Shakwak Project or repairs for the North Alaska Highway between Burwash Landing and Beaver Creek. That stretch of highway is vital to the transportation of goods to Alaska. That fund has dried up, and previous premiers and lobbying efforts to get more money have failed.

“Unfortunately, in terms of tangible results for Yukoners, it looks like the only thing the Premier’s trip produced was hotel bills and Twitter photos of him attending fancy receptions. It sounds like the Premier’s efforts to raise environmental protection with Alaska fell on deaf ears. The same can be said with his efforts to raise Shakwak funding.” Stated Hassard. Hassard also wondered if Silver could have saved a week away from the Legislative Assembly and simply travelled to Alaska? “I wonder how much taxpayers’ money the Premier could have saved by meeting with them just next door here in Alaska instead of travelling all the way to Washington to do so.”

Silver, while trying to spin the meetings as a success in that he could voice Yukon’s concerns with Alaska, admits that he could not secure any commitments. “While in Washington, I also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss Yukon-specific issues. I met with environmental NGOs about their efforts to continue to preserve the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offered them any support that we can give. We spoke about our shared concern for this important region and I reiterated how valuable this region is, both environmentally and culturally. They are familiar with the concerns of the Vuntut Gwich’in and are encouraged to know that our government supports efforts to preserve this land.” “Shared infrastructure, especially the Shakwak highway, was another area of local concern that I voiced in Washington. I met with three representatives from Alaska — Senator Murkowski, Congressman Young, and Congressman Sullivan. I brought up our concerns about the lack of American funding for this highway. They acknowledge it is an important piece of shared infrastructure, but are not able to make formal commitments to support the necessary upgrade costs at this time.”

Senator Murkowski is a proponent of oil and gas drilling in ANWR and Silver called the discussion an “agree-to-disagree” talk. He says the Alaskans no longer get earmarked funding for roads and must prioritize its needs. He says he told the lawmakers that the alternative for Shakwak without added money will most likely end up in gravel or chip seal repairs.

(Dan Jones June 13, 2017)