There was a lot of misinformation in the Legislative Assembly this week, and our caucus wants to set the record straight on a number of important issues. It’s important to our caucus that Yukoners know the facts.
Yes, the Premier did stand up for Yukon small businesses.
In the House this week, the official opposition raised questions as to why Premier Silver had chosen not to stand up for Yukon’s small business community. In fact, Premier Silver requested federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau to extend the consultation period for the proposed small business tax changes three times.
The facts:
- On Sept. 27, Premier Sandy Silver wrote a letter to federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau urging the Government of Canada to extend the consultation period and urging Minister Morneau to meet with Yukon business owners to hear from them directly.
- On Oct. 3, Premier Sandy Silver met one-on-one with Minister Morneau and relayed the concerns of Yukoners, including the desire for an extended consultation.
- On Oct. 3, Premier Sandy Silver, alongside the 12 other Canadian premiers, participated in a roundtable discussion with Prime Minister Trudeau and Finance Minister Morneau. The premiers voiced the concerns of Canadians on the proposed changes, including the call for an extended consultation.
Did members of the Yukon Financial Advisory Panel have access to the information they needed?
The Yukon Party stated in the House that the Financial Advisory Panel didn’t get a chance to see the government’s ‘books in detail’. In fact, they had full access to the government’s financial information.
The facts:
- The Yukon Financial Advisory Panel was, and continues to be, given access to all of the records and information they have requested, including those not publicly available.
Trips to Ottawa
The Yukon Party stated multiple times this week in the House that the Premier has traveled to Ottawa 16 times. In fact, the Premier has traveled to Ottawa six times since coming to office.
The facts:
- The Premier’s most recent trip was to voice the concerns of Yukon’s small business community and discuss Yukon issues with federal Ministers and fellow Premiers.
- Previous trips include attending Yukon Days with First Nation Chiefs, finalizing the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, attending a water ceremony in support of Yukon First Nations and raising Yukon priorities with federal counterparts.
Support for the RCMP is an important priority
Questions in the House this week implied that the Minister of Justice was not taking the strained resources of the RCMP seriously. In fact, the most recent request from the RCMP for additional resources was sent to the Minister of Justice at her request.
The facts:
- Minister of Justice, Tracy-Anne McPhee, has been working on ensuring the RCMP has adequate resources since coming into office in 2016, and the Department of Justice will continue to work with the RCMP to ensure that resourcing pressures are understood and that opportunities to address these pressures are realized in light of emerging issues.
- Our caucus fully supports the RCMP having the resources that it needs in order to protect our community and to serve Yukoners in the very best possible way.
Highlights from the Legislative Assembly: October 3 -5
This week the Government of Yukon tabled 6 bills.
- Bill to amend the Pounds Act.
- Bill to amend the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Bill creating the Public Airports Act.
- Bill to amend the Health Act.
- Bill creating the Act to Amend the Dental Profession Act.
- Bill creating the Missing Persons Act.
A motion on fixed sittings days unanimously approved
A motion on fixed sitting dates was passed unanimously. In the fall, the legislative sitting will begin in the first week of October. In the spring of 2018, and each year going forward, the sitting will begin during the first week of March.
An earlier start and finish in the fall will allow the government to bring in a spring budget before the new fiscal year begins in April. It also allows plenty of time to introduce and pass an interim supply bill thus avoiding the use of special warrants.
Debate on Climate Change in the House
Climate change mitigation and adaption effects all Yukoners. This week Yukon Liberal MLAs were proud to debate a motion in support of the Paris Agreement. Click here for highlights from the debate.
