Question re:  Parks Canada funding cuts

Mr. Silver:    Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Premier. Over the last number of years, Parks Canada has been slowly pulling out of Dawson City. Last summer’s decision to end guided tours at Dredge No. 4 was only the latest in a long line of cutbacks. For example, the assets of Bear Creek are no longer open to the public and SS Keno is only partially open.

I am sympathetic to local Parks Canada staff as Ottawa continues to reduce funding; however, there is an appetite in Dawson to see these, and other assets such as Bear Creek, being better utilized.

Does the Premier recognize the long-term impact these cuts have on the community of Dawson, and what, if anything, does this government plan to do about it?

Whitehorse: An announcement that the private sector will take over tours of the S.S. Klondike and Dredge #4 is disappointing but not a surprise, says Klondike MLA Sandy Silver.  He says it is simply confirmation our Member of Parliament was unable to convince his bosses in Ottawa to reverse cuts made a year ago at Parks Canada.

Whitehorse:  As the clock strikes March there is still no word from the Minister of Tourism or Yukon’s Member of Parliament regarding the future of Parks Canada services for the upcoming summer, says Klondike MLA Sandy Silver.  In a January 21^st conference call MP Ryan Leef told stakeholders they would be kept in the loop on his lobbying efforts and that an announcement would be made no later than March 1^st.

Whitehorse:  Klondike MLA Sandy Silver is disappointed Premier Pasloski didn’t include cuts to Parks Canada services on his list of agenda items, when he met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  A news release from the Government of Yukon listed several other items but failed to mention the future of the S.S. Klondike or Dredge #4.