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WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is calling on the Liberal government to be open with the public about its plans for a managed alcohol program, and to consult before launching it. The program was a commitment made by the Liberal government in the 2023 Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) with the NDP.
According to the CASA signed on January 31, 2023, ‘the Government of Yukon will establish a managed alcohol program within one year.’ The one-year mark of the CASA is quickly approaching, and people are concerned that no details have been released about the program.
“The Liberal’s plan for a managed alcohol program remains shrouded in secrecy, even though the political deadline for launching it is in less than two weeks,” said Health and Social Services Critic Brad Cathers. “Yukoners do not know where it will be located, how much it will cost, how many people will be eligible and how they will be chosen, or how it will operate. It appears this is yet another CASA commitment that will be rolled out without any public consultation on the details, even though this political side deal to keep the Liberals in power has never been endorsed by the public in any way.”
The Yukon Party is calling on the government to release its plans for a managed alcohol program, and to properly consult with health professionals, police, affected stakeholders including area residents and businesses, and the public before the program’s launch.
“We have a number of serious concerns about the Liberal-NDP plan for a managed alcohol program, including their complete lack of transparency and their total failure to consult with the public,” noted Cathers. “For a party that literally ran on the election slogan ‘Be Heard’, the Liberals’ growing lack of interest in actually listening to Yukoners is disappointing.”
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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874
