The Government of Yukon has signed interim regional solid waste agreements with the municipalities of Teslin and Watson Lake.
The funding helps rural municipalities upgrade facilities and advance operational standards, address liability requirements and ensure lease agreements are in place with the territory. In addition, regional agreements provide financial support to rural municipalities for providing waste management disposal services to unincorporated residents within a “regional boundary” around the municipality. Through these agreements, Teslin will receive $69,000 and Watson Lake will receive $61,000.
Improving facilities reflects modern and sustainable practices that benefit both the economy and the environment. Final agreements will replace the interim agreements once the lease and liability agreements are in place and once gates, staff and tipping fees have been implemented.
These agreements reflect progress by the Yukon government, in partnership with the Association of Yukon Communities, to improve how solid waste is managed across the territory.
We applaud Yukon municipalities for their dedication to improving solid waste management across the territory. We also thank the Association of Yukon Communities for their environmental stewardship and their role in this important initiative. With these agreements in place, we continue to work towards sustainable, local, solid waste services that are accessible to all Yukoners.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
We are happy to see these first agreements signed with Teslin and Watson Lake. The Association of Yukon Communities has long advocated for more sustainable management of solid waste across the territory that reflects our shared responsibilities. We look forward to the continued work towards regional solid waste systems that recognize Yukon municipalities as strong, local authorities.
Association of Yukon Communities President Ted Laking
The Village of Teslin is pleased to sign a regional solid waste agreement. This agreement ensures consistent solid waste operational standards across the Yukon and provides the Village of Teslin with financial compensation for services it already provides to peripheral users outside the municipality’s boundary. Many thanks to the Association of Yukon Communities, the Yukon government and our administration for their diligence and commitment to finalizing the agreement.
Mayor of Teslin Gord Curran
The Yukon government has signed interim regional solid waste agreements with Teslin and here in Watson Lake, which is great news for our communities. We appreciate the funding provided to improve our facilities and address liability requirements, along with per capita funding to ensure access to a Regional Waste Management Facility. The implementation of regional solutions for waste management is a positive step towards sustainability, and we would like to thank the Association of Yukon Communities and its members for their continued efforts.
Mayor of Watson Lake Chris Irvin
Regional agreements give financial support to rural municipalities providing waste disposal services to unincorporated residents.
Regional agreement funding is determined by a population-based formula and will therefore differ for each community. The formula estimates the number of peripheral residential users who live outside, but nearby, the municipality’s boundaries and captures transient populations.
These agreements help move towards a consistent service for rural Yukoners, including tipping fees and staffed and gated facilities in all regions of the Yukon, with reduced environmental risks.
Regional facilities reduce operations costs, significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and empower local municipal governments, while creating options for unincorporated users, especially those in areas where we are closing current facilities like Johnson’s Crossing, Silver City and Braeburn.
Rural municipalities are also eligible to receive per capita funding so residents within each regional boundary can access a regional waste management facility.
While Teslin and Watson Lake are the first to sign, agreements have been offered to all of Yukon’s rural municipalities.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
John Tonin
Communications Analyst, Community Services
867-334-5816
john.tonin@yukon.ca