YG will contribute $113 million to the project, but is committing that impact agreements with affected First Nations to be signed before any money is spent.
The Yukon Liberals went to the plate early in their mandate and quickly went yard, securing $247.4 million from Ottawa to upgrade roads and bridges for the mining and natural resources sectors. The Yukon government is expected to contribute $113 million towards the “Yukon Resource Gateway” Project.
In Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first official visit to the Yukon as Canada’s leader, he delivered Saturday massive money to what he says will benefit all Yukoners. “This project will help upgrade more than 650 kilometers of road. Build and replace bridges and other crossings and help the territory's mining sector prepare for long term growth and job creation. With better roads, mine operators will be able to transport equipment and resources and Indigenous Peoples will be able to better reach their Traditional Territories.”
A press release says “in the Dawson Range, four separate public road systems will be upgraded. Improvements to the Nahanni Range Road will include upgrades from its junction with the Campbell Highway to the border between Yukon and the Northwest Territories.”
While this is a grand slam for Premier Sandy Silver, he is committed to keeping his word with First Nations as partners in growing the economy, saying before one dime is spent on upgrades, benefit agreements must first be signed.
“We signed on the dotted line to say this is important to Yukoners, all Yukoners, and it will not move forward without the partnerships of the First Nations whose Traditional Territories will be affected by this. So, nothing is off the table. It's a conversation about jobs. Its a conversation about prosperity. Its a conversation about making sure our communities in the Yukon are more resilient tomorrow for our next generations than they are today.”
Chiefs present for the announcement are pleased, as they are looking forward to the negotiations. “It's a great announcement. It's great for the Yukon. For the Kaska we'll be affected. The Kaska are mining friendly. We have a long experience with mining. We will be expecting to negotiate an impact benefit agreement for the Kaska for the portion that will run through Kaska Territory.” “We definitely have concerns about the environment, but we will be exploring that with the different mining interests.” Stated George Morgan Chief of the Liard First Nation.
Russell Blackjack, Chief of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation echo’s Morgan’s concerns over the environment. “One of the conditions was, which they announced today that they will deal with our agreements before any work on the Freegold Road. The Freegold Road runs through our traditional territory. I believe there is a lot of issues that we haven't come to an agreement with yet. Especially with regards to the environment.” “One of our biggest directions from our elders is the environment and the wildlife that's in that area. We have to make sure that they're protected and the environment is protected.”
The Casino copper, gold and silver mine which is located on the traditional territory of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation is currently in the environmental assessment stage. The life span of that operation is expected to be 22 years. Paul West-Sells, President and CEO of Western Copper and Gold, owners of the Casino Mine called the announcement a shot in the arm for mining. “The gateway project includes 100 percent funding of upgrading the Freegold Road up to Big Creek and then up to 30 percent of the road up to the Casino Mine.”
(Dan Jones Whitehorse September 2, 2017)
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