FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 1999

The Yukon Council on the Economy and the Environment held meetings June 11 and 12 in Haines Junction. A short session was also held in Whitehorse on the evening of June 10. These were key planning meetings for the Council. The main agenda item was to finalize the Council's work plan for the remainder of fiscal year 1999/2000.

Major work plan items will include:

• A major conference in Whitehorse in the Fall to complete the Council's series of conferences entitled "Focus on the Future". All other communities were visited in April and May.;
• Production of a report of findings as follow-up to the Spring Conferences. The report will be distributed to all conference participants.;
• Completion of a review of the State of the Environment Report, and reviews of YTG's implementation of the Yukon Conservation Strategy and the Yukon Economic Strategy.;
• Continuation of the Council's guest speaker series on sustainable development, globalization, and related topics.

A variety of other Council business was dealt. Of particular note, the Council received 3 presentations from guests. In Whitehorse, the YTG Women's Directorate presented their statistical profile of Yukon women "Counting Us In", and Dr. Frank Timmermans, Yukon's Medical Officer of Health, presented the findings of his Health Status Report. In Haines Junction, Kathy Kushniruk, Champagne & Aishihik FN Councilor, welcomed the YCEE to her traditional territory and spoke of the opportunities and responsibilities presented by Land Claims agreements and Self Government.

Dr. Timmermans used statistics to demonstrate his finding that socio-economic status is a highly accurate predictor of population health. Ms. Kushniruk spoke about how the health of her First Nation's members is critical as the First Nation makes strides toward self-governance and sustainable development. She summed up by saying "in order to build anything we have to have healthy people".

According to YCEE Chair Jennifer Mauro, the Council was very receptive to these messages. "We all know that traditional economic indicators don't tell the whole story" said Mauro. "This weekend was a good reminder that the goals of economic and environmental sustainability also include the health and well-being of individuals in the community as whole".

The YCEE is an independent advisory group to the Yukon Cabinet on issues of sustainable development. It is made up of representatives of a broad cross-section of Yukon interests that include industry, environment, First Nations, labour, women and business.

Contact:

Jennifer Mauro
Chair, YCEE
(867) 633-2109