Latest news with #RanjPillai
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Mixed response to new Yukon government trade policy changes
Social Sharing The Yukon government has announced new changes to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Effective July 8, it will remove several Yukon-specific clauses from the agreement in an effort to streamline domestic trade. In a press release last week, officials described the decision as a step that will give Yukon businesses stronger access to markets, investors and opportunities across Canada. The changes include new limits to the territorial government's ability to control market access to fisheries, forestry and agriculture, and the removal of a residency requirement for real estate agents. Ranj Pillai, the minister of economic development and former premier, said the move will "cut red tape" and "reduce barriers" to internal trade. But the step has received a mixed response from the territory's business community. The government is also dissolving its business incentive policy, which offers rebates for hiring Yukon residents and using Yukon-made goods and services, and also protects the government's ability to prioritize Yukon businesses in its procurement policy. That caught Hanna Fish, executive director of the Yukon Agricultural Association, off guard. She said local food procurement has been a concern for the agriculture community for awhile. "We're just wondering how this is going to impact that as we try and build government relationships with local agriculture and if we're going to lose out on further procurement from outside entities." Yukon farmers have been outspoken about being overlooked in the government procurement process. In April, Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker told CBC News the government buys a "very low" number of local food products and that "we need to do more," especially in light of U.S. tariffs. In an emailed statement, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce executive director Andrei Samson praised efforts to promote interprovincial trade but said the chamber would be monitoring the impacts of the changes closely in the coming weeks. "With the removal of measures such as the business incentive program — a tool historically intended to support Yukon-based businesses in accessing public contracts — there is a growing need to ensure that local suppliers are not disadvantaged," wrote Samson. Ceara Crawford is CEO of the Yukon Venture Angels, a group that aims to help grow the Yukon's private sector. She acknowledged the upcoming changes could be "painful" and "challenging" for the local economy, but sees some silver linings. "With [agriculture] tech or forestry, these are industries that we are still working on and learning about that are much more developed in other parts of Canada," she said. "I hope that we're able to approach those who do enter the market — which sounds almost inevitable — so that we can learn from them and be able to grow our local businesses as well. "But we do have this risk of losing the Yukon-specific ownership and losing that community wealth." The business incentive program currently covers 15 per cent of wages for Yukon apprentices and Yukon youth, and up to 20 per cent of wages and benefits for Yukon construction workers. Both Crawford and Fish told CBC News the government should have made an effort to consult with businesses and discuss possible impacts of the decision ahead of time. Crawford said that might have given businesses the chance to plan ahead. "I think the biggest thing is that if we're removing economic barriers for others to come up and work here and operate their businesses here, that we must also remove the barriers to investment and ownership of business here," said Crawford. "If Yukoners don't own those means of production, then we aren't necessarily seeing the monetary benefits."
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Judge approves process to put Yukon Eagle Gold Mine in Yukon up for sale
An Ontario judge has approved a request from the court-appointed receiver to begin the process to sell the gold mine at the centre of a disaster north of Mayo, Yukon. A statement from Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai says selling the Eagle Gold Mine where millions of tonnes of cyanide-soaked ore spilled last year is a chance for the government to get back the 'significant' cash it paid to respond to the emergency. Pillai says the judge's ruling is an important first step and any final decision on a buyer will still require approval by the court, based on the receiver's recommendation. The sale process begins with months of advertising and vetting of potential buyers. Court documents show the deadline to pick a successful bid for the mine is Nov. 5. The plan says the sale is expected to close at the end of the year, after it is approved by the court. 'As both the lender to the receiver and the territory's main mining regulator, the Government of Yukon provided input on the terms of this process and will work closely with the receiver and its financial adviser as the process unfolds over the coming months,' Pillai said in the statement. He said the government's focus is on protecting the interest of Yukoners. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'That includes communicating criteria that reflect important priorities to the Government of Yukon, that can be considered by the receiver in identifying a reputable, experienced and well-resourced operator who is committed to upholding strong economic, social and governance principles,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Judge approves process to put Yukon Eagle Gold Mine in Yukon up for sale
An Ontario judge has approved a request from the court-appointed receiver to begin the process to sell the gold mine at the centre of a disaster north of Mayo, Yukon. A statement from Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai says selling the Eagle Gold Mine where millions of tonnes of cyanide-soaked ore spilled last year is a chance for the government to get back the "significant" cash it paid to respond to the emergency. Pillai says the judge's ruling is an important first step and any final decision on a buyer will still require approval by the court, based on the receiver's recommendation. The sale process begins with months of advertising and vetting of potential buyers. Court documents show the deadline to pick a successful bid for the mine is Nov. 5. The plan says the sale is expected to close at the end of the year, after it is approved by the court. 'As both the lender to the receiver and the territory's main mining regulator, the Government of Yukon provided input on the terms of this process and will work closely with the receiver and its financial adviser as the process unfolds over the coming months," Pillai said in the statement. He said the government's focus is on protecting the interest of Yukoners. "That includes communicating criteria that reflect important priorities to the Government of Yukon, that can be considered by the receiver in identifying a reputable, experienced and well-resourced operator who is committed to upholding strong economic, social and governance principles," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025. Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Post
20-06-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Mike Pemberton wins Yukon Liberal leadership race, will be territory's 11th premier
Article content Mike Pemberton has been named the new leader of the Yukon Liberal Party and will be the territory's 11th premier. Article content A local businessman and longtime party insider, Pemberton won the leadership race by 13 votes over former Kwanlin Dun First Nations Chief Doris Bill. Article content He will replace outgoing Premier Ranj Pillai who announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election and would step down after his successor was chosen. Article content Article content The Liberals hold a minority government in Yukon with eight of the 19 available seats in the legislature. Article content
CBC
20-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Mike Pemberton elected new leader of the Yukon Liberal Party
Members of the Yukon Liberal Party have chosen their next leader and the territory's next premier: businessman Mike Pemberton. "We are here tonight as part of a proud, and strong Liberal movement that is rooted in community. Compassion. And the belief that we can work together to build a brighter future for all Yukoners," Pemberton said. Pemberton narrowly won by 14 votes. Out of a total of 873 votes, Pemberton received 442, while fellow candidate Doris Bill received 429. Pemberton has been involved with the federal and territorial Liberals for more than 20 years. He was the spokesperson for Ranj Pillai's campaign when the current premier and party leader ran uncontested for the Yukon Liberal Party leadership. He also previously owned a furniture store in downtown Whitehorse. He's served on the Whitehorse and Yukon chambers of commerce, the Yukon Development Corporation and the board of Yukon Energy. Pemberton is now premier-designate until a swearing-in ceremony. Once sworn in, They will then serve as the territory's 11th premier until the next general election, which must happen before November 3.
