NDP Introduces Bill Supporting First Nations’ Sovereignty

October 18, 2022

Whitehorse, YT — Yukon NDP leader Kate White on Tuesday, Oct. 18, tabled a Private Member’s Bill in the Legislature to reinstate Section 13.1 of the Yukon Oil and Gas Act (YOGA).

Section 13.1 of YOGA requires the government to seek consent from Yukon First Nations without a final agreement, before issuing oil and gas dispositions in their traditional territory. 

In 2012, Brad Cathers, then the Yukon Party’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, tabled an amendment to the Oil and Gas Act repealing Section 13, despite vehement opposition by Yukon First Nations, the Yukon NDP, and then Liberal MLA Sandy Silver. 

“The Liberals preach consultation, but continually ignore consent. A recent example is Minister Streicker’s extension of oil and gas exploration permits in Northern Yukon despite vocal resistance from affected Northern First Nations,” White said on Tuesday afternoon.

In 2021 the Government of Canada officially adopted the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which enshrines free prior and informed consent. The government of Yukon has yet to do so. 

“Reinstating Section 13.1 will open the door to more conversations about what First Nations consent really means,” White said.

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