FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2023
WHITEHORSE – On Wednesday, the Yukon Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a motion ordering the Production of Papers related to the Safe at Home project on 4th Avenue in downtown Whitehorse. The motion is a binding order of the Legislative Assembly and, unlike an ordinary motion, the government can be found in contempt for failing to comply.
The motion, introduced by Porter Creek Centre MLA and Housing Critic Yvonne Clarke, reads as follows:
THAT this House do issue an order for the return of the following documents related to the Safe at Home Society’s purchase of the former High Country Inn:
(1) the accredited appraisal of the building the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation made reference to during Oral Question Period on Thursday, October 27, 2022;
(2) the building condition assessment the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation made reference to during Oral Question Period on Thursday, October 27, 2022;
(3) the operational plans the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation made reference to in his letter to the Safe at Home Society dated August 25, 2021;
(4) the Yukon government’s assessment of the long-term financial and program viability of the project, which the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation made reference to in his letter to the Safe at Home Society dated August 25, 2021; and
(5) all other relevant documents pertaining to the Yukon government’s final approval of the capital costs, operational plans, and long-term financial and program viability for the Safe at Home project, which the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation made reference to in his letter to the Safe at Home Society dated August 25, 2021.
“At its heart, this motion is simply directing the Premier to provide documents that he has referenced in the Yukon Legislative Assembly and in letters,” said Clarke. “Everyone wants to see more affordable housing in the territory, but we’ve seen the challenges the Safe at Home society are now facing. Accessing these documents will help Yukoners understand what due diligence and guidance was provided to the society by the Premier’s department. I expect all the documents to be released immediately.”
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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026