As they haven’t for several years, the territorial government and the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) just can’t see eye-to-eye on some issues.
Earlier this week, Richard Mostyn, the minister of Community Services, announced some changes to solid waste collection in rural communities. In his news release, Mostyn said the changes have the association’s support.
That didn’t make the organization very happy. And it’s not the first time Mostyn has created this problem over the last few years.
“Following extensive community consultation and recommendations from the Ministerial Committee on Solid Waste, municipal leaders, the Association of Yukon Communities and Government of Yukon experts, a new service level is being implemented in Braeburn, Johnson’s Crossing and Silver City,” Mostyn said.
“Transfer stations in these communities will close on October 1. Residents in these communities are encouraged to use regional waste facilities in Deep Creek, Carmacks, Marsh Lake, Teslin, Destruction Bay/Burwash and Haines Junction.”
It took a couple of days for the AYC to respond to the announcement.
“The Association of Yukon Communities would like to provide clarification to information provided that we believe leaves an incorrect impression as to our involvement in the Government of Yukon’s decision to shut down rural transfer stations,” said Lauren Hanchar, the association’s new president.
“The Association of Yukon Communities does not represent or speak on behalf of the communities of Braeburn, Johnson’s Crossing, Stewart Crossing, Pelly Crossing, Silver City, or Keno City,” Hanchar pointed out.
“We do not have the jurisdiction or the authority to speak on behalf of, or to be consulted on the behalf of, the communities impacted by these Yukon Government decisions.
“Any discussions with our organization should not be represented or interpreted as discussions with those impacted unincorporated communities.”
“While the Association of Yukon Communities is generally supportive of the concept of regionalization and we also support adequate and effective consultation and communication, we continue to request that the Government of Yukon refrain from misrepresenting our involvement,” Hanchar added.
According to Mostyn’s announcement, the changes are being made “to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make rural communities more economically and environmentally sustainable.
“Implementing a regional waste management model moves the territory towards an environmentally sustainable and financially viable future for smaller Yukon communities,” the minister said.
“I extend my thanks to staff, residents, and our local-government partners for their work on this project and engineering a modern waste system that allows us to do better with our waste and ensure a greener, cleaner future for the Yukon.”
Services for residents in Braeburn, Johnson’s Crossing and Silver City will be supplemented by annual dumpster days to allow for cleanups and large items.
As well, residents will be provided with bear-resistant bins for residential garbage, and support in establishing recycling depots for residents interested in enabling further waste diversion.
“The Government of Yukon is also enhancing the 12 unincorporated regional solid waste facilities they operate that serve area populations greater than 200 full-time or seasonal residents,” the statement reads.
“Operation and maintenance contracts for these facilities ensure operating standards are consistent with municipally operated solid-waste facilities.
“Once fully implemented, each facility will comprise a full suite of waste-management services, including the disposal of household waste and construction and demolition material, as well as recycling of end-of-life vehicles, waste metals, tires, electronic waste and consumer containers and packaging.”
Many sites will also accept hazardous and special waste, like waste oil and automotive products, with organics separation and composting to be phased in.
The Yukon Party is unhappy with the decision.
“The Yukon Party caucus opposes the closure of transfer stations in Braeburn, Silver City, and Johnson’s Crossing,” the party said.
“The Liberal government announced on July 22 these facilities would close in the fall, and residents in the affected communities would have to travel in some cases over 100 kilometres round-trip to dispose of their waste.”
Kluane MLA Wade Istchenko added, “Despite the overwhelming opposition to closures in those communities, the Liberal government still went ahead with the announcement.
“I am hearing from constituents that closing these transfer stations could increase greenhouse gas emissions, human-bear conflict, and put more garbage in gravel pit side roads and pullouts,” said Istchenko, whose riding includes Silver City.
“Keno residents have said this has been happening in their community after the Liberals made the decision to close that transfer station.”
One of his colleagues spoke on the issue as well.
“Over the course of multiple meetings at Johnson’s Crossing, residents told the government that they were not in favour of closing their transfer station,” said Pelly-Nisutlin MLA Stacey Hassard, whose riding contains Johnson’s Crossing.
“Residents at the meeting also presented alternative service options. Unfortunately, the government chose to disregard both their concerns and proposed alternatives and did not provide an explanation as to why.”
Brad Cathers weighed in as well.
“The Liberal government is eliminating basic services for rural Yukoners and making a mockery of public consultation by pretending to ask people for their opinion multiple times, and then completely ignoring public feedback,” said the Lake Laberge MLA, whose riding includes Braeburn.
“This service cut will force some business owners and senior citizens to drive an hour and a half just to dispose of their garbage. Once again, this shows the Liberals do not care about the needs of rural Yukoners.”
Cabinet communications staff provided the Star with a statement on the controversy.
“The current system of waste transfer stations is neither sustainable nor fair to Yukoners. Some small communities have access to a local waste transfer station, while residents in other larger communities do not,” the statement said.
“Businesses in some communities can use waste transfer stations for free, while businesses in other communities – including Whitehorse – must arrange for private garbage collection.”
After “extensive conversations” with residents and First Nations, the government added, “we are now investing in regional landfills to ensure a standardized level of waste management services across the territory.
“It is disappointing to hear that MLA Hassard and MLA Cathers believe that Yukoners are so petty as to dump their garbage in the woods in retaliation, especially when these same Yukoners are already travelling to drop off recycling, buy groceries and access other services.”
