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“It appears the Liberal government’s management of the Eagle Mine accident has resulted in the worst possible outcome for Yukoners, Yukon businesses, and taxpayers. It also provides no certainty that any environmental concerns will be better addressed.
“The Yukon Party Official Opposition believes the best possible outcome was for the company to retain control of the site, complete and pay for the environmental clean-up, and develop a plan to bring the mine back into production. In our view, this is the best option to ensure Yukoners can go back to work, that Yukon businesses will get paid, and that Yukon taxpayers will not be on the hook for the environmental cleanup.
“The government's decision to put the company and its assets in receivership, while the company indicated it would still work to address the accident, appears to be unprecedented in Canada. The Liberal decision places the liability for the site entirely on taxpayers and increases the risk creditors and contractors will not receive value for their outstanding accounts.
“In addition, the Liberal government taking over the mine provides no additional certainty that the environmental concerns will be adequately addressed. The mine site appears to be a dangerous and complex work site, and the government has yet to construct the berm they assumed responsibility for a number of weeks ago.
“The decision raises questions that require additional public scrutiny and explanation to Yukoners. These questions include how this improves the environmental response? What procurement process was used to retain the services of the receiver and the environmental consultant? What does this mean for Yukon contractors and suppliers who have outstanding accounts? What, if any, is the process to be sold and re-opened?
“The Yukon Party Official Opposition is therefore requesting that the Premier immediately recall the Yukon Legislative Assembly for a Special Sitting so that government officials and others can appear as witnesses in Committee of the Whole to explain their decision to take over the mine.”
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