Mike Pemberton begins his victory speech after being elected leader of the Yukon Liberal Party and Yukon's 11th premier. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – Premier Mike Pemberton says the government is still committed to the proposed Yukon-B.C. grid connection after a new $2 billion price estimate.
The Yukon Government has been touting the project as a nation-building project as Ottawa seeks to fast-track developments deemed to be in the national interest.
The grid-connect was not included in Ottawa’s first round of federally fast-tracked projects, but Pemberton says it remains a priority.
“We need renewable power so everyone is safe. We need renewable power for the sovereignty of the north,” said Premier Pemberton. “We need renewable power to access critical minerals that the world would like to buy from us rather than buy from China.”
Officials say the transmission line could generate up to $7.6 billion in annual economic growth and create 36,000 long-term jobs across Canada. About 45 per cent of the benefits are expected to flow to Yukon.
