Photo: CKRW file.
The Yukon Liberals and Official Opposition continue to swing back and forth over housing in the territory
YUKON – Housing continues to be a hot topic for both the territorial Liberals and the Official Opposition.
In a statement released by the Yukon Liberals, they accused the leader of the Yukon Party Currie Dixon of not understanding the text of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai.
This MOU included both jurisdictions would share best practices in creating a strong, investment-ready housing ecosystem in the Yukon, explore opportunities to increase the flow of investment in housing development between Ontario and the Yukon and promote trade, commerce, and information sharing in the housing sector across jurisdictions.
According to the Liberals, Dixon was said to believe more rental units should be switched to short-term rentals for tourists, not Yukoners. He was also said to not support the collaboration between Ontario and the Yukon. The Liberals also say he said he doesn’t believe in protection for renters from no-cause evictions.
The Leader of the Official Opposition came back saying the Liberals are lashing out, feel vulnerable, and are out of ideas. He also mentioned a scathing report from the Auditor General for Canada on the Yukon Government’s performance on housing.
“They have failed to live up to their promise to release 1000 lots, we’re nowhere near that. Last year the Auditor General released a scathing report about the Liberals inability to address issues related to affordable and social housing programs and quite frankly, since they’ve been in office, we’ve seen challenges with housing affordability and availability become much worse instead of changing course or trying something new. They simply lash out at any questions or criticisms as they receive.”
Dixon spoke on the need to upgrade the electricity stability in the territory and how the Yukon Government should look to find dependable energy solutions if they wish to increase housing availability.
“We’ve been very critical of the Liberals failures on energy policy. We’ve seen the Liberal government bank on a number of projects that have either been delayed or canceled altogether, the Alan hydro project Moon Lake, the battery project, which is of course, the late and over budget, and their continued reliance on rented diesel generators. And we know from directly from nuclear energy corporation that those generators aren’t as reliable, affordable or environmentally friendly as alternatives.”
Legislation starts the first week of October and Dixon says this will be an urgent topic the Yukon Party hopes to push for in the chambers.
