FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                       August 8, 2023

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is calling on the Liberal government to reverse the recent changes to the Government of Yukon Bid Opportunities Website. These changes have reduced transparency by limiting access to bid information to account holders and requiring registration.

Previously, all tender documents and details were publicly displayed, while accounts were only required to submit a tender. Yukoners could easily access bid documents, bidders, awards, and prices. Now, all users must create an account that requires a company name, mailing address, fax number, and website. A separate ‘individual contact’ section requests a name, email, and phone number.

“This move by the Liberal government continues their trend of reducing transparency on bids and tendering,” said Highways and Public Works Critic Stacey Hassard. “Yukoners know the Premier has already reneged on his 2021 election promise to the contracting community to open bid prices publicly. Information involving public spending should be easily accessible to Yukoners.”

Under previous governments, project bids were publicly opened immediately after the close of the tender, allowing contractors to plan for projects. The territorial Liberals changed the policy to review tenders behind closed doors, leaving contractors to wait weeks or months, to learn the submitted prices. Contractors requested the government shift back to the old policy during the Yukon Chamber of Commerce 2021 election debate on the economy, and the Premier left contractors with the impression he would ensure it happened.

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026