Premier Ranj Pillai’s forceful comments about the mining sector’s past behaviour have provoked some colourful responses.

While addressing the Council of Yukon First Nations’ annual General Assembly on Tuesday, Pillai both praised  and criticized the industry in the Yukon.

His speech had led to some skepticism, if not outright insults, from the Yukon Party.

“We were not surprised to see the premier’s negative comments about the Yukon’s largest private sector industry; his messaging about the mining industry has always seemed to change based on whom he was speaking to,” the official Opposition wrote in an email to The Yukon Star.

“We look forward to comparing this speech to his speech this fall at the Geoscience Conference (in Whitehorse). Despite the eye-catching criticisms of mining, the premier failed to address the elephant in the room: the call from some Yukon First Nations for a ban on all mining activity. His inability to explain his government’s position on this issue is causing uncertainty for industry, First Nations, and the general public.”

At the General Assembly at Lake Laberge, the premier acknowledged the industry’s importance in helping sustain capital works and services for Yukon residents, but made some other blunt points.

“The mining sector has had its fair share of bad actors, unfair practices, and the inherent desire – driven by the greed of corporate executives and shareholders – to cut corners, shirk responsibilities, and break the law,” Pillai told delegates.

“I will not stand before you and paint a rosy picture of mining – we must do better, and we will do better.  I will not do so when we see corporations cut their losses and run at the suggestion of financial loss. Not when our people are facing the loss of the safe use of their lands. Not when we are left with a giant mess to clean up.”

The premier recalled the industry’s repetitive pattern of this behaviour dating back to the 1970s.

“We have seen this play out firsthand here in the territory, far too many times.  We saw it at Clinton Creek and in Faro. We saw it at the Wolverine Mine, and more recently with Minto Metals. We saw it at Mount Nansen. We saw it at Wellgreen and Venus Mine.

“And now we see it at the Eagle Mine, with corporate executives refusing to speak to the media and shareholders cutting and running the moment that profits are in question,” Pillai said.

The Yukon NDP also assessed the premier’s statements.

“Yukoners have been waiting for over a month now for the premier to say something — anything — about the Victoria Gold disaster,” said party leader Kate White. “That he waited this long raises serious questions about the Liberals’ ability to lead the territory through crises like this one.”

Representatives from other organizations, such as the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, were also eager to comment.

“The Yukon Chamber of Commerce acknowledges Premier Ranj Pillai’s remarks, highlighting mining’s vital role in the territory’s economy. Mining has been a cornerstone of economic development, providing jobs, supporting businesses, and contributing to public services,” the chamber said.

“However, the chamber shares concerns about the environmental and social impacts of mining, including recent incidents at sites like the Eagle Gold Mine. We support stringent safety and environmental regulations, advocating for responsible actions by both government and all stakeholders.”

Luc Pantin, the chamber’s executive director, added “the chamber is committed to collaborating with the government, Yukon First Nations, and the mining sector to focus on the development of a sustainable future.

“We believe in balancing economic benefits with the preservation of the Yukon’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Our focus is on fostering innovation and accountability, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for all Yukoners.”

The Yukon Conservation Society (YCS), meanwhile, called it “gratifying to learn that Premier Pillai agrees with the perspective of YCS – and most Yukoners – about the failings of the Yukon’s mining sector.”

“YCS has long raised concerns about the serial abuse of the public purse “driven (as the premier says) by the greed of corporate executives and shareholders – to cut corners, shirk responsibilities, and break the law.

“YCS has long been outraged that once the easy ore has been plundered, with few to no royalties, we see corporations cut their losses and run at the suggestion of financial loss.”

Time after time, the YCS added, “the Yukon mines have demonstrated that the ‘polluter pays’ principle is not upheld by the Yukon government. Rather, we are left with a bankrupt company, millions in unpaid bills, and catastrophic environmental ruin that even today, the public must avoid.

“YCS is pleased that Yukon Government is finally admitting that it has been failing to properly monitor, regulate and legislate the minerals sector, however we are distraught that this admission comes only in the face of yet another mining disaster that will cost untold millions to remediate.”

Randi Newton of the Yukon CPAWS chapter had some comments as well.

“We appreciate the premier’s frank comments and agree that something has to change, so that mines leave positive legacies, not embarrassing and irresponsible ones. This means the government will also have to take a hard look at its own role in these failures and is why we echo the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun’s call for a fully public and independent inquiry. However that work will come later. At this moment the government can help shape the legacy of this mine by removing Victoria Gold from site, as the company has not capably responded to this disaster.”

The reactions to Pillai’s speech were colourful on social media as well.

Lewis Rifkind, a well-known critic of the Yukon mining industry, wrote that he “can’t recall a single major mine that the politicians have said no to. The Yukon Water Board (bless them) rejected the Carmacks Copper project many years ago over the screams and fury of YG, but that’s about it.”

The current Liberal government, Rifkind added, “might be of the view they cannot say no, but all it would take is for the minister to not sign off on the Quartz Mining licence. 

“Getting into the legal weeds, they wouldn’t actually be saying no; they would just be maintaining the status quo of there not being a Quartz Mining licence. Others might differ with this interpretation, but they’re probably miners.”