Expanding the Federation? The Process of Devolution in the Yukon Territory

• Published in: Federalism-E
• Main Author: MacDonald, Adam P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Royal Military College of Canada 2008
• Subjects: Yukon; First Nations; Whitehorse
• Online Access: https://ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/fede/article/view/13619

Since the 1970s, the transition of jurisdictional authority, specifically resource management, from the federal government to the Yukon Territorial Government (YTG) has been an ongoing endeavor. To date the transfer of powers from Ottawa has been well absorbed by Whitehorse, which has developed the institutions and expertise needed to accept these new areas of responsibilities. While it appears unlikely that this process will result in provincehood due to an apathetic Yukon political culture regarding this matter and Ottawa’s unwillingness to reopen the Constitution, further devolution of powers, via federal statue, to Whitehorse in the future is expected. Devolution, however, in the Yukon is a dual process involving not just the federal government and YTG, but the Yukon First Nations as well. Aboriginal self-rule is a far more complex issue, with concerns over the lack of an experienced labour force and the cumbersome relationship with Whitehorse characterized by funding and decision-making process disputes. Ultimately, the level of autonomy and self-rule achieved by the Yukon First Nations will be dependent on their ability to secure immediate influxes in financial and technical assistance from both Ottawa and Whitehorse. This condition, however, is contingent upon the acceptance of the federal government and YTG of the Yukon Fist Nations as a legitimate level of government and, therefore, an increased willingness to develop strategies to address immediate concerns.[.]