Mining among key issues in Yukon election

Mining became a much larger issue in the recent Yukon election than it has been in the past, says the managing director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines.

Rob McIntyre said the chamber helped raise mining’s profile by sending a questionnaire to all parties.

All three parties — the ruling New Democratic Party, the Liberals and the right-of-centre Yukon Party — made mining initiatives part of their campaign platforms.

The Yukon Party took seven of 17 seats in the October vote, while the NDP won six, the independents three and the Liberals one.

In the Klondike riding, placer miner David Millar defeated incumbent Art Webster, the NDP renewable resources minister.

“The Yukon Party did provide some pretty positive responses to our questionnaire,” McIntyre said. “They were clearly wanting to be champions of the mining industry here.”

New Government Leader John Ostashek, a politically inexperienced former guide outfitter, promised to get the Yukon’s private sector on track, McIntyre said, and make the territory less reliant on federal transfer payments. Ostashek also publicly signed a petition circulated by placer miners, opposing tougher federal fisheries regulations, and promised to lobby the British Columbia and federal governments to speed up environmental reviews of the Windy Craggy project.

However, the Yukon mining industry didn’t have major problems with the NDP government which served two terms, McIntyre added.

Although the NDP had higher priorities than mining, such as improving the quality of life for Yukon residents, McIntyre said mining also received support. Former premier Tony Penikett, who retained his seat, was personally involved in attracting Curragh (TSE) to the Yukon to start up the Faro mine again, McIntyre said.

Other issues such as the devolution of mining from federal to Yukon control fell by the wayside, though, as settlement of native land claims and other projects took precedence.

In his campaign, Penikett focused on the NDP record of support for mines at Faro and Sa Dena Hes.

Penikett also promised to continue existing grants for mineral exploration and the Resources Transportation Access Program, and to provide electricity to exploration and mining sites.

McIntyre is hopeful that the new government will recognize the importance of mining in development of a stronger private sector.

In 1991, federal spending added up to $408 million or 57% of the total Yukon economy, McIntyre said, based on a chamber analysis in consultation with senior government analysts.

Mining was next at $244 million or 30%, McIntyre said, including mineral exploration, Curragh’s expenditures and placer gold production. Tourism and renewable resources placed substantially behind mining, he said.