On October 7, the Government of Yukon introduced amendments in the Yukon Legislative Assembly to the Forest Resources Act as well as technical amendments to the Environment Act.
The Government of Yukon is proposing updates in Bill No. 39, the Act to amend the Forest Resources Act (2024), that will streamline and modernize the licensing, permitting and enforcement provisions in the Forest Resources Act by clarifying exemptions to forest resource harvesting, improving compliance tools for forest officers, streamlining the tenure system, increasing flexibility of forest resources permits and promoting the responsible use of incidental timber harvest.
These amendments are informed by public engagement in 2023 on the Forest Resources Act with First Nations governments, renewable resources councils, industry and Yukoners, as well as the Forest Resources Act Review Working Group, which included First Nations and the Government of Yukon.
The technical amendments introduced through Bill No. 41 will amend the Environment Act (2002) and the Act to amend the Environment Act (2014) to allow the completion of a new contaminants regulatory framework in the Yukon. This will provide stronger environmental protection by aligning standards with other Canadian jurisdictions and streamline and simplify processes and make it easier to remediate, develop and sell properties.
Adding these provisions to the Environment Act will help the Government of Yukon adapt modern standards and methodology for managing contaminants in the territory. The proposed amendments are in alignment with other Canadian jurisdictions and adhere to national standards, to help ensure better protection of environmental and human health.
Updating legislation to better enhance the protection of the environment and the health of Yukoners is a Government of Yukon commitment under Our Clean Future: A Yukon Strategy for Climate Change, Energy and a Green Economy and contributes to meeting goal area seven by ensuring the actions taken by government are consistent with the vision for a healthy, resilient future.
- Yukon forests are managed under the Forest Resources Act. The Act offers a system for managing and protecting forest resources in the Yukon. This includes forest planning, tenures and compliance and enforcement.
- Section 95 of the Act states that the Minister shall establish a process for review of the Act.
- The Forest Resources Act Review Working Group consists of representatives from the Government of Yukon, Teslin Tlingit Council, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Kluane First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Acho Dene Koe First Nation.
- The Working Group provided early engagement opportunities in 2020 to Yukon First Nations, transboundary Indigenous groups, renewable resources councils and stakeholders, including the Yukon Wood Products Association.
- The Working Group identified and discussed policy issues around planning, tenure and enforcement, which are the three pillars of the Act. Working Group members brought forward additional items for discussion and most recommendations were made by consensus.
- The period for spring 2023 consultation and engagement (which was based on the working group’s recommendations) was extended in response to requests from some First Nations governments and renewable resource councils.
- Under Our Clean Future 2020 targets include, by 2030, meeting 50 per cent of our heating needs with renewable energy sources. We will meet these targets through initiatives which include developing local renewable heat sources like wood energy and increasing the use of biomass and other renewable energy sources for heating.
- Under Our Clean Future, climate action H23 states that the Government of Yukon will identify regulatory improvements that could support the growth of Yukon’s biomass energy industry during the review of the Forest Resources Act.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Kate Erwin
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
kate.erwin@yukon.ca
867-667-3183
Mara De La Rosa
Communications, Environment
867-456-5565
mara.delarosa@yukon.ca