Liberals reiterate Peel watershed plan support

The Liberals say they'd implement the Peel watershed land use plan as it's written if the party wins the Oct. 11 Yukon election.

Leader Arthur Mitchell said Wednesday that after six years of study and consultation on the watershed, there's no reason not to approve the commission's final recommended plan.

"The mining industry is thriving and no one is working in the Peel," he said.

Although existing mineral claim holders in the region do have rights, Mitchell said a Liberal government would negotiate with each company individually as the government did when it was creating Tombstone Territorial Park.

"We would meet individually, but we're not going to make a blanket statement that there would be compensation or there won't be compensation for everyone," said Mitchell. "That would be irresponsible."

Mountainview candidate Dave Sloan, who is up against Yukon Party leader Darrell Pasloski, said lots of voters in his riding are asking about the Peel.

"I go to many doors and the first question I'm asked is what's your position on the Peel," said Sloan.

With the Yukon Party's refusal to make its position public, Sloan said people are beginning to wonder what's really going on.

"There's a growing suspicion that there's some kind of agenda behind this," he said. "Yukoners don't want that. They don't want any more backroom deals. They want clear answers and they want them now."

Pasloski has said it would be irresponsible for the party to take a stand until the process is completed.