Yukoners heading to the polls with environmental change on their minds—and their ballot
Whitehorse—On November 3rd, Yukoners will head to the polls with hope of environmental change this election. What Yukoners said they want from their next government during the All-Party Forum on the Environment, held October 6th in Whitehorse, matched what a poll commissioned earlier this fall by CPAWS Yukon found: the next Yukon government must make changes to prioritize nature and the environment.
During the All-Party Forum on the Environment, each party representative expressed the need for updated legislation on mining development in the territory. This falls in line with what Yukoners wish to see, with the majority of respondents from CPAWS’ poll believing that the mining industry doesn’t currently operate in an environmentally responsible way.
As land use planning continues across the territory, over 70% of Yukoners would like to see the establishment of more protected areas and Indigenous-led conservation. They’re hoping to see planning that prioritizes lands and waters, and in collaboration with First Nations that allows them to participate in more decision making over their traditional territory. This is crucial as the government continues to work with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in on the Dawson Regional Land Use Plan and begins the process of working with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun in the Northern Tutchone region.
Yukoners are also concerned about the impacts of climate change on the North, and how the Yukon can build resilience in an ever-changing world. Numerous public questions directed to party representatives at the All-Party Forum related to renewable energy generation, greenhouse gas emissions, and food security.
“Regardless of who forms the next Yukon government, it’s clear that environmental protection and mitigating climate change is top of mind for all of us. We need a government that will prioritize the Yukon’s wild spaces and improve our systems to ensure that the lands, waters, and wildlife can continue to thrive here.” – Chris Pinkerton, Executive Director of CPAWS Yukon.
For full details from Nanos Research polling, visit https://cpawsyukon.org/polling2025/
For the full transcript and audio from the All-Party Forum on the Environment, visit https://cpawsyukon.org/environment-forum-2025/
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Contact
Chris Pinkerton, Executive Director – CPAWS Yukon
cpinkerton@cpawsyukon.org | 867-393-8080 x4