This week in the Legislative Assembly Whitehorse West MLA Richard Mostyn provided an update on work to enhance the Dawson Airport. Debate continued on the 2018-19 Budget and the Cannabis Bill, and the Gender Diversity Bill made it through Committee.
Improvements at Dawson Airport
Whitehorse West MLA Richard Mostyn delivered a Ministerial Statement this week to update MLAs on the work to enhance the Dawson Airport. This year’s budget includes $7.7 million for the construction of a new maintenance facility at the airport. The facility is required to fulfill the heightened maintenance standards and needs of a paved runway at the Dawson Airport.
“Enhancing our aviation industry is important to growing Yukon’s economy. We will ensure that the airport meets the needs of the community and its stakeholders and acts as a regional economic and jobs generator for the future.
This is part of our larger plan to improve the Dawson airport, which will see the runway paved as we committed to during the 2016 election.” – Whitehorse West MLA Richard Mostyn
Learn more about the new maintenance facility here.
2018-19 Budget
The majority of the 2018-19 Budget has now been debated in the Legislative Assembly. Following next week’s scheduled debate of the budgets for the Yukon Housing Corporation, the Department of Economic Development and the Yukon Liquor Corporation, the entire budget will have been presented to the Legislative Assembly. Our Liberal Caucus is proud of the hard work that went into creating this year’s budget, which is focused on building capacity and creating the conditions to grow Yukon’s economy. Learn more about the 2018-19 Budget here.
Cannabis Bill
Debate continued this week on the proposed Cannabis Control and Regulation Act. Learn more about the Cannabis Bill here.
In preparation for legalization, the Yukon Liquor Corporation announced its first cannabis supply agreement with a Canadian producer. Learn about the agreement here.
Gender Diversity
The proposed Gender Diversity and Related Amendments Act proceeded through Committee this week. The Bill promotes gender diversity on boards and committees, and extends the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
“The bill before us is really part of a broader conversation about the sort of community we want to be living in. Our government has a vision of healthy, vibrant communities where Yukoners feel safe, included and able to live their best lives. Supporting greater inclusion and equality of LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners in our community is an important step toward realizing this vision.” – Mountainview MLA Jeanie Dendys
Learn more about the Bill here.
The government also recently announced plans to improve public engagement with LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners. Learn about this latest phase of LGBTQ2S+ non-discrimination work here.
Tributes
This week Liberal MLAs recognized a number of important awareness campaigns, local events and Yukoners in the Legislative Assembly.
Porter Creek South MLA Ranj Pillai paid tribute to the late Justin Kolla, an exceptional Yukoner who passed away last year.
Old Crow MLA Pauline Frost paid tribute to the second annual Denim Day, organized by the Yukon Hospital Foundation and celebrated on April 10 in support of the Cancer Care Fund.
Klondike MLA Sandy Silver paid tribute to the Dawson City Music Festival, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.
Porter Creek Centre MLA Paolo Gallina recognized International Day of Pink, which is celebrated on the second Wednesday of each April and raises awareness to stop homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny and all forms of bullying.
Copperbelt North MLA Ted Adel paid tribute to the Telus Ride for Dad, which raises money for the fight against prostate cancer.
Riverdale South MLA Tracy-Anne McPhee paid tribute to the Rotary Music Festival, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.
Mountainview MLA Jeanie Dendys paid tribute to the Yukon Playwrights Conference, hosted by the Playwrights Guild of Canada in partnership with Whitehorse’s Gwaandak Theatre.
