Yukon Party Supports Chamber Call for Delay on EPR Implementation

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is echoing the request made by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce (YCC) for a delay on the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.

The Yukon Party has been calling on the territorial Liberal government to hold off on the program due to ongoing concerns about inadequate information and rollout. MLAs have been urging the government to reconsider the EPR program over the past few years, most recently in February.

A letter from the chair of the YCC to the Premier and Minister of Environment, dated May 27, 2025, warns of dire consequences for businesses if the program proceeds as planned in a month’s time. The letter says, ‘From a Yukon business, Industry, and consumer lens, this program is poorly understood, financially cost-prohibitive, overly complex, and administratively expensive, destroying what little profit margin privately owned Yukon-based businesses have; all at the dawn of a pending global recession.’

The letter calls on the government to postpone the program’s implementation, conduct a deeper analysis of the financial implications for Yukoners, and remain open to alternative models that do not require small businesses and the economy to bear the responsibility for diverting waste in the territory.

“This is another case of the Liberal government not listening to what Yukoners are telling them,” said Kluane MLA Wade Istchenko. “The EPR program is placing another burden on small businesses and the economy when the Yukon Chamber of Commerce sees an impending economic recession on the horizon. The Liberals need to pause the EPR program and have another look, as requested by the Chamber.”

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Tim Kucharuk
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