YUKON COUNCIL ON THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Minutes of March 8-9, 2002
Whitehorse, Yukon
Members Present:
| James Grattan | Chair |
| Louise Bouvier | Yukon Aboriginal Women's Association |
| Roger Alfred | Council of Yukon First Nations |
| Charlotte Hrenchuk | Yukon Status of Women's Council |
| Bill Mann | Yukon Chamber of Mines |
| Malcolm Taggart | Yukon Federation of Labour |
| Ralph Nordling | Vice Chair and Member at Large |
Regrets:
| Linda Casson | Association of Yukon Communities |
Secretariat:
| Skeeter Wright | Policy Officer, Executive Council Office, Government of Yukon |
| Verena Hardtke | Policy Analyst, Environment, Government of Yukon |
1. INTRODUCTIONS
All members introduced themselves. The chair also reviewed the status of membership on the council. The council currently has three vacancies: 1) Council for Yukon First Nations 2) Yukon Conservation Society and 3) Yukon Chamber of Commerce. The Government of Yukon will send letters requesting new nominees from these groups.
2. MEETING AGENDA
Ralph Nordling moved and Malcolm Taggart seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was carried.
3. MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2001
Ralph Nordling moved and Bill Mann seconded the motion to accept the minutes of the September 28 and 29, 2001 meeting as distributed.
4. REVIEW OF DRAFT YUKON CONSERVATION STRATEGY REVISION
The Council reviewed the draft Yukon Conservation Strategy revision in detail and provided comments and suggestions to the Department of Renewable Resources representative. The Council will provide official review and comment on the Yukon Conservation Strategy Revision during the public review process expected in summer/fall 2002.
5. YUKON CONSERVATION STRATEGY - YCEE ANNUAL REVIEW OF YTG IMPLEMENTATION
The Council will request data from the Government of Yukon on the government's implementation of the Yukon Conservation Strategy to allow the council to review and comment on the success of the government's implementation.
6. SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS INDICATORS
Toby Sanger from the Department of Economic Development, YTG, presented an update on the implementation of the Sustainable Progress Indicators initiative to the Council. The Council hopes to see the final indicators in May/June, 2002.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
The Secretariat circulated a number of correspondence items for the Council members' information. Secretariat will look into providing electronic versions of correspondence for distribution to those members who have electronic access. Other arrangements will be made for those who do not.
8. WORKPLAN
The 2002/03 YCEE workplan will include production of a 2001 term report, a review of the Government of Yukon's implementation of the Yukon Conservation Strategy, continued work on the Sustainable Progress Indicators, commenting on the Yukon's state of the economy report and looking into the status of moose hunting regulations.
ACTION: Secretariat to provide a draft 2001/02 YCEE term report to Council by June 30.
ACTION: Secretariat to prepare the 2002/03 YCEE workplan for the Council at next meeting.
ACTION: Secretariat to provide 2001/02 YCEE financial statement to Council for the next meeting.
ACTION: Secretariat to provide 2002/03 YCEE budget to Council for the next meeting.
9. FIRST NATIONS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION
Leonard DeBastien from Inuvik was scheduled to address the Council on the positive and negative effects of economic development on First Nations. He was unable to attend due to the closure of the Dempster Highway. He will be invited to a future meeting.
10. ROYALTY FUND
Malcolm Taggart presented his idea to Council on the establishment of a Royalty Fund as a tool for the Government of Yukon to collect the royalties accrued to it from Yukon resources. The fund's objective would be to ensure the benefit from the resources is kept for the long-term.
ACTION: Malcolm will distribute a draft terms of reference for Royalty Fund research project to Council for the April 19/20 meeting.
11. NEXT MEETINGS
The next 2 YCEE meetings will be:
The Council discussed holding 6-8 meetings a year. Although consensus was not reached on a particular number, the Council agreed that more than 4 meetings a year are required.
It was noted that the Council will consider Watson Lake and Dawson City for future meeting locations. Future meeting topics include discussion on council member issues, review of resource laws related to Devolution, moose hunting regulations, economic impacts of education, involvement of young people in trapping.
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James Grattan, Chair