WHITEHORSE – Yukon Liberal Leader Sandy Silver and Vuntut Gwitchin candidate Pauline Frost today outlined their party’s plan to create thriving Yukon communities.

“As an MLA from Dawson for the last five years I’ve demonstrated how important the role of rural Yukon is to me personally and if I’m elected Premier that won’t change,” said Silver. “I have always seen the job of a rural MLA as being a community’s representative in Whitehorse and not the other way around.”

Silver said he is proud of the team of candidates from rural Yukon who are experienced leaders in their own communities.

“A Yukon Liberal Government recognizes that rural Yukon is a key partner in shaping the future of the territory. People in rural Yukon are also best-placed to identify their own concerns and priorities,” he said.  “We will work collaboratively with municipalities and First Nation governments to build sustainable, diverse economies and support local solutions for local problems to improve our collective way of life.”

Silver said a Liberal government would invest in the infrastructure of communities, to capitalize on their ambitions and develop their economies in a fiscally responsible manner.

“Community planning only works with adequate funding that matches the planning time frame,” he said. “Ensuring predictable funding for communities is a priority of the Yukon Liberals and we will work with municipalities and the Association of Yukon Communities to make this a reality.”

Frost explained that improved transparency and communications around government decision making processes is a major concern in rural Yukon.

“An example would be the process for the allocation of infrastructure dollars, particularly big ticket funds such as Build Canada,” she said. “We want to ensure it is evenly distributed and there is equal access to funding.  In several rural communities there is no local government to represent people and we want those people to be heard when this money is allocated.”

Frost said the same philosophy applies to economic diversification. 

“We believe all communities matter, not just the capital,” she said.  “As an MLA from rural Yukon I would ensure that economic opportunities consider the views of rural people.”

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For more information please contact: 

Yukon Liberals

668-4748