Latest news with #Yukoner
Hamilton Spectator
6 days 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 .
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Yukon gov't completed a third of health recommendations; critics say they should focus elsewhere
The Yukon government has completed 25 of 76 health-related recommendations from a 2020 report on improving the territory's health care, but critics say the government is failing to address the major issues. The Putting People First report, published in 2020, was the result of a territorial health care review conducted by an independent panel. That panel made recommendations to improve Yukon health care, including creating a distinct health authority, a Whitehorse walk-in clinic and land-based healing programming. On May 22, the territory said it had completed 25 with another 40 in progress. But Yukon Party health critic Brad Cathers says the territory should focus on items mostly excluded from the report like surgical infrastructure, the doctor shortage and continuing care. "We're seeing a lack of urgency on everything," Cathers said. Cathers said he wants to see more aggressive recruitment of physicians from outside the territory. He pointed to a waitlist for the long-term care facility in Whistle Bend with "no plan to address it." Yukon NDP Leader Kate White said she's also concerned about senior care and the lack of physicians specifically trained in geriatric care. She also pointed to the report's recommendation to reform social assistance. She said a review has happened, but there's no available information about next steps. Dr. Derek Bryant, president of the Yukon Medical Association, says the Yukon has made good progress but acknowledged there's still a lot of work ahead. "This was a really ambitious set of recommendations," he said. "We have to keep that in mind when we're looking at the progress." Opening the Whitehorse walk-in clinic, increasing the medical travel subsidy and launching a land-based healing program are among the recommendations already actioned. For Bryant, the number one outstanding recommendation is connecting every Yukoner with a primary care provider. "We can't think of a single more important priority," Bryant said. He said having proper access to care ultimately saves money and saves lives. He agrees there should be more progress on items not in the report, like surgical infrastructure needed to sterilize equipment and an electronic medical record system, so people can have continuity of care between physicians. Health authority in progress The territorial government is also in the process of creating a distinct health authority. Yukon is currently one of two jurisdictions in Canada without the authority, along with Nunavut. The territory passed the Health Authority Act, legislation that sets the framework for the new health authority, in 2024 and opened applications for the first board of directors May 20. The new organization will be called Shäw Kwä'ą and will replace the Yukon Hospital Corporation. Bryant said passing the legislation is a big step and said it's positive that it requires consultation with First Nations. White thinks the Shäw Kwä'ą board of directors is being appointed too soon, before there's an established timeline for creating the authority. She said hospital and government employees still have questions about how the chang will impact them. "We absolutely have to make sure that the people who are going to do the work are along for the ride, and that's not the case right now," White said.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former influencer 'Mr. Adventure' fined $30K for illegally killing bears in Yukon
A former influencer who illegally shot three bears has been fined $30,000 in Yukon Territorial Court. Tristan Hamm pleaded guilty to three charges under the territory's Wildlife Act on Thursday, appearing in court by video from outside the territory. Other charges Hamm was facing in relation to this incident were stayed. Hamm admitted he was not a Yukon resident when he purchased a Yukon resident hunting licence and killed two black bears and a grizzly bear over a five-day period in May 2023. The 29-year-old was an influencer at the time, with two million followers on Instagram under the moniker "Mr. Adventure." His Instagram account was set to private in November 2023 after he was charged in the Yukon and he publicly transitioned to professional boxing in January 2024. Hamm lives outside of the territory for work, but considers himself a Yukoner, the court heard. His father and siblings live in the Yukon. In his written submission to the court, Hamm said he was not trophy hunting. "I'm heartbroken over this situation," Hamm told the court on Thursday. "I assure you all that I'll be extremely careful with licensing regulations in the future." Hamm was ordered to pay half of his $30,000 fine to the territory's conservation fund. He is also banned from hunting in the Yukon for two years. He's banned from accompanying a guided hunt for a further period of three years; which means he can only become eligible for a hunting licence in that period if he actually moves to the Yukon. Judge Katherine McLeod said she understands the penalty has severely affected Hamm "financially, emotionally and physically," noting the damage to his reputation, ability to make a living and hunt with his family in the coming years. Still, McLeod told Hamm he should have known better. She said the penalty should deter others from skirting the rules. Both counsel submissions said that strictly regulating resident hunting licences is important for conservation efforts. "It's such a precious commodity for the Yukon … that cheaters are not welcome," McLeod said.
CBC
15-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Food Bank Society of Yukon calls on political parties to reduce food insecurity as demand grows
The Food Bank Society of the Yukon has joined Food Banks Canada in calling on political parties to reduce food insecurity in Canada by 50 per cent by 2030. "I think food security has taken a back burner in this election and it's a really important topic that we need to bring to the forefront," said Dave Blottner, executive director of the Food Bank Society of the Yukon. Last month, the Yukon food bank fed 1,957 Yukoners last month, an increase of 67 people from the month before. One in 20 people in territory rely on the food bank, according to the society. Those latest numbers come as food insecurity grows across Canada. According to Food Banks Canada, almost one quarter of Canadians are food insecure. "People have a concept of what a food bank user looks like, that they're some kind of Dickensian orphan," Blottner said. "That's not the case, these are folks that have found the cost of living, the cost of rent, the cost of gas, the cost of everything is just too much right now and they need that little bit of extra help to get through." Demand across Canada is so high at food banks right now that many clients are being turned away because there isn't enough food for them, said Blottner. "Over 30 per cent of food banks across the country have had to say no to folks when they came in. They ran out of food before they could meet demand," said Blottner. "Thankfully here in the Yukon, I live in the most generous community in Canada and we haven't had to say no yet but it's an unsustainable bell curve we're working up towards." Judy Padkozey is a long time volunteer at the Yukon food bank. She's also a longtime Yukoner. Padkozey understands what it's like to struggle to make ends meet. She currently has no fixed address and has been couch surfing so she can help financially support her adult son in B.C. who has FASD. Padkozey does a bit of everything at the food bank. When she's not greeting clients at the front desk, she stocks shelves. Another priority for her is ensuring everyone gets access to what she calls the "good stuff" — items like eggs, bread, and cake mix. "We always give everybody a cake mix on their birthday," said Padkozey. "Parents just love it, they're so glad their kid will have a birthday party this year." We never used to store food up to the rafters - David Whiteside, Food Bank volunteer David Whiteside is another longtime volunteer at the food bank. He says in his 14 years he's never seen the need so high. "We never used to store food all the way up to the rafters," said Whiteside. "We did not have our warehouse manager getting his head clipped by a ceiling fan while he's storing boxes on top of the freezer." Whiteside, a former teacher at Whitehorse Elementary School, recalls bringing food donations to the food bank by sled with his students. "We brought it over on toboggan, it was so much fun." Whiteside says a sled of food doesn't cut it these days. "A sled of food used to matter much more," said Whiteside. "A skid of food is how we are working now." Blottner says until the root cause of food security is addressed, reliance on food banks in Canada will only grow. "Since 2019 food costs in the Yukon have gone up 78 to 100 per cent depending on the items in the grocery store," said Blottner. "That's hundreds of dollars a week extra that people are paying in the grocery store."
CBC
12-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Whitehorse retailer stuck with Buffalo Sabres merch after trade sends Dylan Cozens to Ottawa
Social Sharing Diehard Buffalo Sabres fans in Yukon take note, there may be a bargain to be had. The NHL team apparel is no longer the hot commodity it once was in the territory — in fact, it's quite the opposite. That's because Yukon hockey star Dylan Cozens has been traded away. At the Sports Experts retail store in Whitehorse, Sabres jerseys are on sale and hats are adorned with red "sale" stickers. Last month, Cozens — "the workhorse from Whitehorse" — was sent from Buffalo to Ottawa in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline. And with that move came a shift in allegiance among those in Cozens's hometown who are more keen on cheering for the player than the team. "If anyone wants a good deal on Buffalo gear, we can definitely have a discussion," said Jason Gendron, general manager at Sports Experts, which sells professional sports merchandise. If anyone wants a good deal on Buffalo gear... - Jason Gendron, general manager at Sports Experts in Whitehorse Gendron says while Sabres gear is now collecting dust in his store, it's the opposite with Ottawa Senators gear. "We have seen an uptick since the trade happened," said Gendron. "We're responding accordingly, trying to get some [Senators] gear in." As it stands now, the store doesn't have any Senators merchandise. Gendron says it wasn't a priority until Cozens joined that team. Demand has grown even more since Ottawa clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2017. "Now that they've made the playoffs we have some jerseys, t-shirts and hats ordered," Gendron said. "I know there's a big fever to get Cozens jerseys but they can't just be ordered on the spot. We do have some blank jerseys coming up." 'Stuff still has value' for proud dad Someone not looking to get rid of Sabres gear is Mike Cozens, Dylan's dad. He estimates he's accumulated about 10 hats and several jerseys. "I'm keeping it," said Mike. "There's people that just got Sabres gear at Christmas, I'm not sure what they're going to do." Cozens says the Sabres gear has a special place in his heart. Dylan made history in 2019 when he became the first Yukoner to ever be selected in the first round of the National Hockey League draft. "The Sabres stuff, you know that was the team that drafted him," said Mike. "It was an exciting time while he was there and that stuff still has a value." Mike is holding on to the Sabres gear for another reason. He says he'd ultimately like to see some of it on display alongside gear from other Yukon star athletes. "It would be great to have a place to show off all our great athletes, our skiers, our swimmers," said Mike. "So that people can go in and see the ski poles from so-and-so. If the city ever decides to do that, I'll have a jersey for them." As for Senators gear being available in time for the playoffs, Gendron is optimistic. "I'm trying to get it flown up as we speak," he said.
