Amendments to the Forest Resource Act and technical amendments to the Environment Act passed in the Legislative Assembly

Nov 07, 2024

Earlier this week, Bill No. 39, the Act to amend the Forest Resources Act (2024), and Bill No. 41, amendments to the Environment Act (2002) and the Act to amend the Environment Act (2014), received assent in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.

Bill No. 39, streamlines and modernizes Yukon forest resource licensing, permitting and enforcement. These amendments are the result of a review of the Act to make the legislation more effective, provide greater clarity for all parties and continue to allow for responsible use of the Yukon’s forest resources. They reflect the shared values of Yukoners, Yukon First Nations and transboundary Indigenous governments as well as groups advocating for the sustainable management and stewardship of our forests.

New enforcement provisions help to address unauthorized harvesting and respond to willful damage to timber and prepare the way for future regulations on morel harvesting and processing facilities.

In 2023, the Government of Yukon completed consultation and public engagement on the Forest Resources Act with Yukon First Nations governments, renewable resources councils, industry and members of the public. Changes to the Act are a result of this review and based on the work of the Forest Resources Act Review Working Group and are intended to make the legislation more effective, clarify requirements for stakeholders and promote responsible forest resource use in the Yukon.

Bill No. 41, amendments to the Environment Act (2002) and the Act to amend the Environment Act (2014), also received assent. This new legislation supports  modernizing the regulatory framework for managing contaminants in the Yukon. The amendments will enable the Yukon government to implement a more thorough regulatory approach, with updated standards for remediating contaminated sites.

Modernizing forest resource licensing and identifying regulatory improvements that could support the growth of the Yukon’s biomass energy industry is a Government of Yukon commitment under Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy and contributes to meeting goal area H23.

It’s great to see these amendments to the Forest Resources Act receive royal assent. They enhance responsible and sustainable management of our forest resources, give forest officers more compliance and enforcement tools and streamline licensing. These amendments reflect our government’s values for sustainable management and stewardship of Yukon’s forests now and into the future

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker

Bill No. 41 helps pave the way for a new contaminants regulation that will offer stronger protections for the Yukon’s environment and human health. Once completed, this new regulation will streamline and simplify permitting processes and make it easier to remediate, develop and sell contaminated properties. This legislation is an important step our government is taking to build a modern framework that prioritizes the wellbeing of Yukoners and our environment.

Minister of Environment Nils Clarke

Quick facts

• Under Our Clean Future 2020 targets include, by 2030, meeting 50 per cent of the Yukon’s heating needs with renewable energy sources. The Yukon will meet these targets through initiatives which include developing local renewable heat sources like wood energy and increasing the use of biomass and other renewable energy sources for heating.
• Under Our Clean Future, climate action H23 states that the Government of Yukon will identify regulatory improvements that could support the growth of the Yukon’s biomass energy industry during the review of the Forest Resources Act.
• A new Contaminants Regulation will replace both the Contaminated Sites Regulation and the Spills Regulation to provide stronger environmental protection by aligning standards with other Canadian jurisdictions, streamlining and simplifying processes and making it easier to remediate, develop and sell properties.
• The Government of Yukon previously engaged the broader public and stakeholders on its proposed direction for the new contaminants regulation in 2018 and re-engaged Yukon First Nations and targeted stakeholders on the proposed changes in summer and fall 2024.

Backgrounder

• Yukon forests are managed under the Forest Resources Act. The Act offers a system including forest planning and tenures, as well as compliance and enforcement tools. The legislation is designed to support industry while conserving diverse forest values.
• Section 95 of the Act states that the Minister shall establish a process for review of the Act.
• The Forest Resources Act Review Working Group consists of representatives from the Government of Yukon, Teslin Tlingit Council, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Kluane First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Acho Dene Koe First Nation.
• The Working Group provided early engagement opportunities in 2020 to Yukon First Nations, transboundary Indigenous groups, renewable resources councils and stakeholders, including the Yukon Wood Products Association.
• The Working Group identified and discussed policy issues around planning, tenure and enforcement, which are the three pillars of the Act.
• The period for spring 2023 consultation and engagement, which was based on the working group’s recommendations, was extended in response to requests from some First Nations governments and renewable resource councils.

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Patti Flather
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
Patti.Flather@yukon.ca
867-667-3123

Mara De La Rosa
Communications, Environment
867-456-5565
mara.delarosa@yukon.ca

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