Mr. Silver: Mr. Speaker, I also want to rise and pay tribute to National Volunteer Week.

I want to talk specifically about my community. We had some great tributes here about the generalities, but I wanted to draw down on some specific volunteers in my town. It was employment that brought me to Dawson City, Mr. Speaker, but it was the spirit of volunteerism and the community involvement that made this vibrant community my home.

Mr. Silver: Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Premier. In early March, the Yukon Party had taxpayers pay for a flyer that was mailed across the territory. It was a report to Yukoners that tried to make the case that this government is growing our economy. Our economy has in fact shrunk over the last three years. Taxpayers are also paying to promote the Premier’s budget in ads on Facebook. In bold letters, there’s a quote from the Premier: “Government needs to support the economy, not become the economy.” I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, just the opposite is happening in today’s Yukon. Under the failed economic policies of this government, private sector jobs have dropped by 600 in the last year and private sector jobs have increased by 500. Under the Yukon Party government, the private sector is shrinking and the public sector is growing. The government’s own statistics prove that. Mr. Speaker, why are taxpayers covering the costs for these misleading ads?

Mr. Silver: I would like to begin as I always do with a heartfelt thank you to the constituency of the Klondike for the privilege of representing them here in the Assembly. I want to thank Dawson City for all of the support that I have received over the past five years. It has been an honour representing the Klondike in Whitehorse.

Mr. Silver: Mr. Speaker, in early March, the Yukon government had taxpayers foot the bill for a flyer that was mailed across the territory. It was a Report to Yukoners that boldly stated this government is — and I quote: “growing our economy”.

The Conference Board of Canada recently confirmed our economy shrank last year and has in fact shrunk three years in a row. In a few months’ time, the territory’s last operating hardrock mine will be shutting its doors. The government’s own forecast says — and I quote: “Real GDP is expected to contract for the third consecutive year” for 2015 — so much for the claim that the government has successfully been growing our economy.

When is this government going to admit that its economic record is actually one of failure?

Mr. Silver: Mr. Speaker, we know that one of the defining accomplishments of this government has been to ratchet up uncertainty for investors, particularly in the resource sector. The uncertainty was reflected in the rankings of the latest Fraser Institute mining report.

It was also reflected in mining exploration in the territory, which is down again this year by 18 percent. It has actually dropped almost every year that the Yukon Party 2.0 has been in office.

Now ongoing court battles with First Nations and regulatory uncertainty have tarnished our reputation as a good place to do business. A perfect example of this is the Yukon Party’s botched attempt to amend Bill S-6, or YESAA.

Mr. Speaker, will the Premier now take responsibility for the regulatory uncertainty raised by this government’s failed YESAA review?