YUKON COUNCIL ON THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Minutes of August 23-24, 2002

Belvedere Motor Inn - Watson Lake, Yukon

 

Members Present:

James GrattanChair
Ralph NordlingVice Chair and Member at Large
Charlotte HrenchukYukon Status of Women's Council
Bill MannYukon Chamber of Mines
Malcolm TaggartYukon Federation of Labour
Randy TaylorYukon Conservation Society

Regrets:

Curtis ShawYukon Chamber of Commerce
Louise BouvierYukon Aboriginal Women's Association
Roger AlfredCouncil of Yukon First Nations
Verena HardtkePolicy Analyst, Environment, Government of Yukon

Secretariat:

Tamar VandenbergheYCEE Administrative Assistant

 

1. MEETING AGENDA

Ralph Nordling moved and Bill Mann seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried.

2. MINUTES OF MAY 31 - JUNE 1, 2002 MEETING

Ralph Nordling moved and Malcolm Taggart seconded the motion to approve the May 31 - June 1, 2002 minutes as modified. The motion carried.

3. CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION ITEMS

  1. Immigrant Investor's Fund (Yukon Gold Fund)
    Council reviewed the July 31, 2002 response from the Minister of Business, Tourism & Culture that provided answers to Council's questions on the Immigrant Investor Fund.
    As background, Council reviewed and discussed the January 1999 Yukon Government Fund Limited document. Council questioned why only one project (Connect Yukon) has been funded given the fund's investment intention of investing in at least two Eligible Business Ventures.
  2. Royalty/Permanent Fund
    July 8, 2002 letter sent to Premier Duncan recommending YTG enter into discussions with the federal government with the goal of receiving favorable treatment of Royalty/ Permanent Fund in relation to the federal transfer payments. Council reviewed and discussed the Northern Accord. Council does not have position on the Royalty Fund at this time and requires more information. A mechanism is required for royalties to flow into fund which will in-turn allow the fund to grow.
  3. YCEE Membership/Alternates
    Linda Casson has officially resigned from the YCEE due to time commitments. The Association of Yukon Communities will forward a name to cabinet.
    Council reviewed June 24, 2002 letter from YTG regarding exploring the process for members to designate alternates. The letter confirms the government is not interested in designating alternates for YCEE members.
    Council discussed and reviewed the existing options in the YCEE operating procedures that help to ensure sufficient attendance by members. Council will continue to attempt scheduling meetings when higher participation can take place. The Chair will also personally contact members where attendance is an issue.
  4. Focus on the Future Follow Up - Review Draft Terms of Reference
    Council reviewed the Terms of Reference for completing a limited follow-up report to the 1999 "Focus on the Future" document. Council suggested appending relevant information from the Focus on the Future report to the Terms of Reference. Contractors should provide council with a one-page proposal and resume. Council agreed that a contractor who exhibits a business background would make a preferable candidate.
  5. National Round Table on the Economy and the Environment
    The Prime Minister has appointed a new chair. No response has been received from the NRTEE on possible speakers for a fall information session or on the progress of their indicators.

4. TOUGH REPORT

To prepare for the evening session on the Kaska Forestry MOU, Council discussed the Tough Report (entitled Yukon Forestry Issues: A Reality Check and a New Direction) and reviewed the 19 recommendations for forestry in the Yukon.

5. KASKA FORESTRY MOU

To prepare for the evening session on the Kaska Forestry MOU, Council reviewed and discussed the Memorandum of Understanding on Forest Stewardship for the Kaska Traditional Territory.

6. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PLANS

Council reviewed the Departments of Environment, Energy, Mines & Resources and Business, Tourism & Culture's accountability plans. Some of the overall suggestions and feedback included:

7. FORESTRY IN SOUTHEAST YUKON - INFORMATION SESSION

Between 7 and 9 PM, Council sponsored an information session on Forestry in the Southeast Yukon. The session focused on the MOU on Forest Stewardship for the Kaska Traditional Territory. The presentation included specifics of the MOU followed by a question and answer period. Approximately 25 residents participated.

Speakers included:
Mike Draper - DIAND
Ed van Randen - YTG - Energy, Mines and Resources
Jean Gleason - Kaska Dena Council
Jayne Suncomeau - Liard First Nation
Norman Sterriah - Ross River Dena Council

8. COUNCIL MEMBER CONSTITUENCY ISSUES/PRIORITIZATION

No new updates to report.

9. WORKPLAN

  1. YCEE Term Report January 2001 - March 2002
    Council received copies of the YCEE term report.
  2. Council's Revision of Government Reports
    Council is waiting for the final draft of the Yukon Conservation Strategy Revision to provide comments on.
  3. Sustainable Progress Indictors
  4. Other
    Kaska Benefits Agreement - Once it is complete, Council may want to invite representatives from the Kaska and DIAND to make a presentation.

10. NEXT MEETING

The next YCEE meeting will be:
Tentatively October 4/5 in Whitehorse
Council will focus on reviewing the Yukon Conservation Strategy and the Sustainable Progress Indicators documents. Council discussed the idea of bringing a speaker and a NRTEE member to Whitehorse in the fall for a public forum on the Economy and the Environment. Council agreed that if speakers cannot commit to October 4/5, meeting would be re-scheduled to late October/early November.

 

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James Grattan, Chair