Kate White announces plan to protect the Yukon’s lands and waters
October 19, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2025
Territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Whitehorse, Yukon – Yukon NDP Leader Kate White unveiled her plan to protect the Yukon’s lands and waters, and the people who depend on them.
“Being a Yukoner means loving these lands and these waters,” said White. “Our environment is our greatest strength, and Yukoners deserve a government that will protect it, not sell it out.”
Under the Conservative Yukon Party, the territory’s natural environment was put at risk. When Currie Dixon was the Minister of Environment, he fought with First Nations in a failed attempt to frack the Peel Watershed. His party has also accepted thousands in donations from the mining company behind one of the Yukon’s worst environmental disasters, Victoria Gold. The Liberals, meanwhile, have dragged their feet on land use planning and allowed Victoria Gold’s Eagle Mine to break rules and operate unchecked, resulting in catastrophic harm to the environment.
White promised that Yukoners can count on her and her team to protect the Yukon’s lands and waters – today and for future generations.
Kate White’s plan will:
- Reduce emissions by 45% by 2030, following the Yukon Climate Leadership Council’s strategy;
- Protect the northern border with a moratorium on Arctic drilling;
- Defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Porcupine caribou herd, working alongside First Nations governments, communities and local organizations;
- Modernize Yukon’s mining laws in partnership with First Nations to ensure responsible resource development;
- Hold full public inquiries into the Minto, Wolverine, and Eagle Mine failures to get answers for Yukoners and prevent future disasters;
- Ban mining within municipalities to protect communities;
- Increase wildland fire crews by 25%, upgrade bases, and ensure firefighters have comprehensive presumptive cancer coverage;
- Hire emergency support staff in communities to strengthen emergency management capacity.
The Yukon NDP’s commitment will also help more Yukoners get outside and enjoy the territory’s natural beauty, with the construction of four new campgrounds, developed in partnership with First Nation governments and communities to ensure the right locations that respect the land.
“We’ll do this work hand-in-hand with First Nations governments and leaders,” said White. “We will reduce emissions, protect communities, and make sure development respects the territory and First Nations’ rights. Together, we’ll make sure mining benefits Yukoners, and doesn’t put our territory at risk.”
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