Yukon under fire over new rules

The Yukon government has outlined changes to its oil and gas exploration policy it says are “minor,” but environmentalists fear will create an open season on all lands outside federal and territorial parks.

Energy Minister Archie Lang said the Yukon government wants to remove one of the most cumbersome administrative processes in Canada.

He said the industry will be asked to pinpoint an area it would like to explore.

But that will be only the first step in a “very long journey” that will include public consultation before the government decides whether it will accept an application.

Currently, the government chooses an area and asks for expressions of interest from companies.

Yukon Conservation Society spokesman Lewis Rifkind said the result could be that all of the Yukon, including private property, will be open to oil and gas activity except those areas specifically exempt under legislation.

He said the government is failing to inform Yukoners about changes that could be implemented in 2006.

—Gary Park