WHITEHORSE - On September 2nd, 2017, Premier Silver participated in a photo-op announcing an investment in the Resource Gateway Project. Since that time the Liberals have missed several key milestones for this project.
According to Infrastructure Canada’s website, the Yukon Liberal government originally told Canada that construction of the project was forecasted to begin June 1st, 2018 and be completed by March 31st, 2024.
However, the Yukon Liberal government has now amended and significantly delayed the project.
According to Infrastructure Canada’s website, construction for the project will now only begin November 16th, 2020 (more than 2 years late) and the project will now be completed March 31st, 2031 – a whopping 7 years late.
“The Liberals and the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Resources have a reputation of being all talk and no action, and such significant delays as well as inability to meet their own timelines further highlights the poor management and leadership of the Liberals,” said Scott Kent, Official Opposition Critic for Mining. “As with so many files, the Liberals are more than happy to take part in photo-ops but when it comes to actually moving projects forward or making decisions, they consistently fall flat.”
This news comes after the territory’s ranking plummeted under the Liberals from 9th to 23rd on the Investment Attractiveness Index in the Fraser Institute’s annual Survey of Mining Companies.
“We have seen the mining industry hurt by never ending delays and indecision with respect to infrastructure and permitting under this government. With all of the uncertainty and delays associated with this project, Yukoners have questions,” added Kent. “It’s time for the Liberals to reconvene the Legislature so we can dig into why this project has become so delayed, and why it has been so poorly managed under their watch.”
-30-
Contact:
Madison Pearson
Communications
(867) 393-7026