Latest news with #RanjPillai
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Yukon Chamber of Commerce, business call for pause on EPR program
The Yukon Chamber of Commerce wants the Yukon government to hit the brakes on the extended producer responsibility program. The chamber, which recently announced plans to dissolve , wrote a letter to Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai and Minister of Environment Nils Clarke on May 27. The letter calls the extended producer responsibility program 'poorly understood, financially cost-prohibitive, overly complex and administratively expensive, destroying what little profit margin privately-owned Yukon-based businesses have; all at the dawn of a pending global recession.' The extended responsibility program is set to begin this summer across the territory. The program, which was added to the Environment Act in January 2024, puts the responsibility for the collection and recovery of waste with the person who manufactured that waste — i.e., the business or 'steward.' Producer responsibility organizations act on behalf of businesses they've struck agreements with to collect and recover waste. These organizations, according to the Yukon government, lead engagement and communication efforts. According to the Yukon government website for EPR , there are currently four producer responsibility organizations in the territory: Call2Recycle, which focuses on batteries; Interchange Recycling, which takes care of oil, diesel exhaust fluid and antifreeze; Circular Materials, focusing on packaging and paper materials; and Product Care, hazardous and special products. Each organization has its own date to begin implementation of the stewardship plan. Call2Recycle is set to start June 24, Interchange Recycling on Aug. 1, Circular Materials on Nov. 1 and Product Care some point in the fall. The stewardship programs 'must provide reasonable and free access to collection facilities or collection services,' per the 2024 extended producer responsibility regulation legislation. In 2023, YG environmental analyst Natalia Baranova told the News that the government could save 'several millions' of dollars due to the EPR system. An economic analysis prepared for YG , published in 2023, also found that under extended producer responsibility, households, communities and the government would experience cost savings. However, EPR scenarios in the analysis were more costly overall, per the report. But the chamber's letter, signed by chair John Campbell, says that the cost of goods in the Yukon will rise due to the EPR program. 'This 'solution' - the EPR program - does not match viable or realistic Yukoner or program needs considering our small population and distance to market for appropriate recycling, not to mention that it appears as though the EPR is a tariff - a tax by a new name - and that this new YTG Tariff will be passed on to the consumer who will pay into multiple recycling or EPR programs each time the product is warehoused, distributed or consumed,' reads the letter. 'This program will cause financial harm to businesses and to consumers, while misleading Yukoners, operators and consumers that the EPR will make a positive impact in environmental waste diversion.' The letter asks the government to delay the implementation of the program and review the financial implications, and consider 'alternative, realistic models that don't have our small business community and economy bearing sole financial responsibility to divert waste in our territory.' The letter followed a different letter, sent to Clarke on May 21 by Alan Lebedoff, the president of ALX Exploration Services. He calculated that the EPR program would cost his business an extra $100,000 a year. 'Your claim that these costs will not affect consumers ignores basic economics: businesses, classified as 'stewards' under the regulations, will pass these costs to consumers, further driving up the cost of living in an already expensive territory,' wrote Lebedoff. He also asked the government to delay the implementation of the program until December 2026. He also asked that the government conduct a 'transparent, collaborative economic impact assessment with businesses' and engage directly with mining companies and other stakeholders. The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, a national non-profit, also wrote to Clarke and Pillai on May 30. They asked that the roll-out be paused until 2026. They also want to see a 'full economic impact analysis, including comparative cost modeling and recession scenario testing.' They also want the government to raise the exemption threshold to include businesses making $2 million in annual revenue (up from $1 million), to treat each franchise location as a separate entity, and have enforcement take an education-first approach for the first year of implementation. They also ask the government to consider 'alternative models' like 'shared municipal-territorial stewardship or limiting the list of prescribed products to ease the transition.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Canada Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Canada Standard
Yukon, B.C. Agree to Link Grids Through New $2B Power Line
The Yukon and British Columbia governments have agreed to jointly plan a transmission line connecting their power grids, with project costs in the billions and a timeline of over a decade. A local management consultant says there may be better ways to meet the territory's electricity needs. The Yukon-BC Grid Connect project aims to enable two-way electricity transmission, enhancing energy security and offering "mutual economic prosperity," the premiers of the two governments said in a joint statement. Signed May 23, their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) "will guide intergovernmental collaboration" through the exploration and planning phases of connecting the two grids. "It's an agreement between both premiers' offices at the political level, just that this is a priority," Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai told Yukon News. The planned 765-kilometre, 200-kilovolt transmission line is expected to cost around $2 billion and will take more than 10 years to complete. It will require close cooperation with Indigenous communities along the route, and will be guided by "advancing reconciliation with affected First Nations, including through Indigenous partnerships and ownership," says the joint statement. Last year, the federal government announced $40 million for a feasibility study of the power line. The study will update one released in 2015, in which consultancy firm Midgard said it "cannot see a plausible scenario, given the assumptions, where Yukon profitably imports electricity." Midgard also questioned the reliability risks the territory would face if it depended on another jurisdiction for its electricity supply. Now, Pillai is pitching the power line as "a nation-building project" that would benefit all of Canada by boosting Arctic and northern sovereignty and security. Proponents also emphasize the environmental benefits, noting that the corridor would facilitate the flow of clean electricity northward. This could reduce reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports for mining operations in the region, allowing operators to market their resources as lower carbon, writes Yukon News. The MOU doesn't come with any financial commitment. But with the transmission line's price tag roughly equal to the territory's total annual budget, the cost cannot "be put on the back of Yukoners," said Pillai, who called for more funding from Ottawa. In an interview last fall, Yukon Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley said connecting the grids would allow the territory to export surplus energy and diversify its energy sources as the climate becomes more variable. Currently, Yukon is isolated from the North American grid and primarily powered by hydroelectric dams. But rising demand and low reservoir water levels have increased the proportion of energy it sources from fossil fuels. The territory also relies on rented diesel generators to meet peak power demand. With the grid connection years away, opposition leaders have questioned how Yukon will address its immediate energy challenges, Yukon News reported last fall. Economist Keith Halliday writes the massive transmission line is but one possible solution to the territory's energy troubles. Clean energy needs could also be met by building several smaller, "bite-size" projects in the area to add to the territory's own capacity. "Instead of huge surplus intertie capacity in the initial years, you build up generation capacity in small steps as demand for electric vehicles and heat grows," Halliday says. These smaller projects would create long-term employment in the Yukon economy, rather than the powerline construction jobs that would disappear when the project is finished. "Instead of outsourcing power jobs to B.C., you create well-paid engineering and union jobs here," Halliday writes. "Instead of B.C. investors getting the returns, they go to Yukon First Nations development corporations and our private sector." Source: The Energy Mix
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Experts say linking Yukon, B.C. power grids a ‘game-changer' but will take time
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, left, and British Columbia Premier David Eby during a media availability at the 2024 Western Premiers' Conference in Whitehorse, Monday, June 10, 2024. CANADIAN PRESS/Crystal Schick Experts say the potential linking of British Columbia's power grid with Yukon would be a game-changer for the territory's quality of life and economy, but realization would likely take more than a decade. University of Calgary professor Jason Donev says Canada's north generally lacks the electricity infrastructure taken for granted in the south, and the lack of cheap, reliable power in many communities weighs on development. Donev says the remote locations and long distances involved in linking the B.C. and Yukon power grids would present 'significant engineering and technical challenges.' B.C. Premier David Eby and Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai last week signed a memorandum of understanding to explore connecting the grids. Rosa Brown with clean-energy think tank the Pembina Institute says similar projects have shown it would take 'a decade-plus' to progress from a memorandum of understanding to an actual power link. Brown says a feasibility study a decade ago determined the link was too costly, but fresh factors ranging from Ottawa's higher interest in nation-building projects and increased demand in Yukon for electric heating and vehicles have likely shifted the calculation. The B.C. government says the signing of the memorandum — which took place at the Western premiers conference — would mean opportunities for the province to connect its clean electricity to critical resource mining and other projects in Yukon. The University of Calgary's Energy Education website says the closest point where Yukon's grid could connect to B.C. would require at least 900 kilometres of transmission lines as well as a number of intermediate substations. This report by Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press, was first published May 26, 2025.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Experts say linking Yukon, B.C. power grids a ‘game-changer' but will take time
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, left, and British Columbia Premier David Eby during a media availability at the 2024 Western Premiers' Conference in Whitehorse, Monday, June 10, 2024. CANADIAN PRESS/Crystal Schick Experts say the potential linking of British Columbia's power grid with Yukon would be a game-changer for the territory's quality of life and economy, but realization would likely take more than a decade. University of Calgary professor Jason Donev says Canada's north generally lacks the electricity infrastructure taken for granted in the south, and the lack of cheap, reliable power in many communities weighs on development. Donev says the remote locations and long distances involved in linking the B.C. and Yukon power grids would present 'significant engineering and technical challenges.' B.C. Premier David Eby and Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai last week signed a memorandum of understanding to explore connecting the grids. Rosa Brown with clean-energy think tank the Pembina Institute says similar projects have shown it would take 'a decade-plus' to progress from a memorandum of understanding to an actual power link. Brown says a feasibility study a decade ago determined the link was too costly, but fresh factors ranging from Ottawa's higher interest in nation-building projects and increased demand in Yukon for electric heating and vehicles have likely shifted the calculation. The B.C. government says the signing of the memorandum — which took place at the Western premiers conference — would mean opportunities for the province to connect its clean electricity to critical resource mining and other projects in Yukon. The University of Calgary's Energy Education website says the closest point where Yukon's grid could connect to B.C. would require at least 900 kilometres of transmission lines as well as a number of intermediate substations. This report by Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press, was first published May 26, 2025.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Elections Yukon gearing up for plebiscite on electoral reform
Social Sharing Yukon voters will be going back to the polls later this year, this time to elect a legislative assembly with more members than before. And voters will also be given a second ballot this year — about electoral reform. Elections Yukon plans to conduct a plebiscite to gauge public support for the current electoral system — first-past-the-post, where the candidate with the most votes in a riding is elected — or if there's support to change to a ranked-ballot system. The move follows a recommendation last year from a citizen's assembly of randomly selected Yukon residents who advised the territory to switch to a ranked-ballot system. Premier Ranj Pillai responded by announcing a territory-wide plebiscite on the issue. Maxwell Harvey, Yukon's chief electoral officer, said the plebiscite will ask voters a yes-or-no question about whether the territory should adopt a ranked-ballot system or stick with the status quo. The wording of the question will be determined by the government, with input from Elections Yukon, and is expected to be announced by early summer. "We will have an opportunity, Elections Yukon, to provide input into the question, to give any kind of advice, considerations that we believe the government should consider," Harvey said. "It's a non-binding plebiscite to the voters to express public opinion." Ranked-ballot systems can vary but in essence they mean that if no candidate in a riding gets at least 50 per cent of ballots cast, voters' second or even third choices would be used to ultimately determine the winner. But one electoral reform advocate says she's not happy about what she considers the plebiscite's narrow focus. Sally Wright, with Fair Vote Yukon, says proportional representation should also be on the ballot this fall. "What ranked vote doesn't have, and proportional representation does have, is you have two votes with proportional representation — one for the the candidate and one for the party," she said. "It detaches the candidate from the party so that voter has a better way to express themselves." She said she's hopeful Elections Yukon will reconsider adding proportional representation as an option. The Yukon Party said it thinks the whole thing is a waste of time. "While we respect the work of the Citizens' Assembly, the entire exercise consumed substantial resources and will continue to do so if it directs a change to the voting system," a party spokesperson said. "We feel that the time, money, and energy being devoted to this entire process would be better prioritized in addressing the many challenges facing Yukoners." A spokesperson for the Liberal government said it will take no position on the plebiscite. "Our stance has been that any potential change to our electoral system should be decided by Yukoners, not by whichever party is in power at the time," the spokesperson said. The NDP, which has traditionally been the biggest partisan backer of electoral reform, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Harvey said the plebiscite will be conducted in a way similar to the general election, and on the same day. When voters go to the polls, they'll be given two ballots — one to select their MLA, and one to vote on the plebiscite. Harvey said there will be additional support at polling stations, including plebiscite officers, on voting day. In the meantime, Harvey said, Elections Yukon will focus on ensuring that voters know about and understand the plebiscite, and have the information they need to make an informed choice. The territorial election — and therefore the plebiscite — is scheduled to happen on Nov. 3, but could be called earlier. The governing Liberals are currently in the midst of a leadership race to replace Premier Ranj Pillai, who is resigning. The party is scheduled to choose their next leader on June 1 9. Yukon's electoral map has also been redrawn since the last general election, with two new ridings in Whitehorse and some changes to existing districts. The changes were recommended by an independent commission and approved by MLAs last year. That means the next legislative assembly will have 21 members, up from the current 19.
