Old Crow Identifies Community Priorities

08-Jan-2010

Whitehorse – Darius Elias, MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin says the community of Old Crow has identified its priority issues for 2010. Elias wrote to the government this week identifying the highest priority projects that should be considered in this year’s budget.

“Drinking water to start with,” said Elias. “We are still waiting for the community well to be upgraded. There is no reason to wait any longer.”

The Yukon government is expected to table another billion dollar budget this year. Elias wants to make sure the government was notified well in advance of budget preparations, what the key issues and priorities are for Old Crow, Yukon’s most northerly community.

“The Vuntut Gwitchin Integrated Community Plan has identified a number of important community issues and capital projects that need to be addressed,” said Elias.

The top priority issues that have been identified by the community of Old Crow for this fiscal year are as follows:

1. Completion of the upgrading of the community’s drinking water well.

2. Resurfacing of the roadways and fixing of the drainage problem.

3. Relocation of the diesel and gasoline tank farms.

4. Implementation of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan.

5. Implementation of the 10 year Capital Plan

“There are a dozen more issues and projects that need to be addressed as well,” said Elias. “Old Crow’s list of outstanding issues has gotten longer while the Fentie government spends a billion dollars a year. We have a plan with cost estimates and timelines. All we need now is for the government to deliver on the promises that have been made.”

Elias also thanked the Government of Canada for its $1.5 million contribution to support road upgrades in the community.

For additional information contact:
Jason Cunning 667-8942