on Clyde Wann of "Wann Road" Porter Creek

Clyde Wann was born in the US in 1900, and spent 1917 to 1924 knocking around Alaska, whereupon he moved to Mayo, Yukon. By 1927 he had earned enough $$ to go into partnership with 2 other guys (James Finnigan and Andrew Cruickshank), and buy an airplane from California, ship it up to the Yukon and launch Yukon's first commercial airline: Yukon Airways and Exploration.

The airplane, called "Queen of the Yukon" was a sister ship to Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of St Louis" (the one that made history when it flew across the Atlantic...) The "Queen" was without precedent: so, it had to be insured under the same terms as were sternwheelers.

Whereas a dogteam could take 2 weeks to travel from Dawson to Mayo, this airplane only took a few hours to make the same journey. The Canadian government gave authority to Yukon Airways to impose a surcharge on 'airmail' (a new concept then), and a special stamp was issued. A regular letter cost 3 cents; and AIRMAIL cost 25 cents! Yukon Airways was finally sold to Pacific Western in 1954.


The"Queen of the Yukon", and another successor, also called "Queen of the Yukon" have been laid to rest - with a lot of other bush pilot memories - under the tarmac at the Whitehorse Airport. A replica was made, however, and now hangs from the ceiling of the Yukon Transportation Museum. If you want to know about THAT, you must ask Bob Cameron (who is out of the Territory until the 2d week of September.)

As to Clyde Wann's imprint on the Alaska Highway... more about that at a later date.

Introducing Yukon's first mobile abattoir

Archie and Brad Cather were at the Fireweed Farmers' market today in order to introduce the Yukon's brand new mobile abattoir to the public.



This $175,000 investment in Yukon's agricultural future leverages Federal $$$, enabling it to operate for a five year period. In other words, the Canada-Yukon Agriculture Policy Framework has had a practical result, sitting right there for all to see this afternoon at the Shipyards Park in Whitehorse. Livestock producers - and game farmers - will take responsibility for marketing the processed halves and quarters to commercial butchers and packers.

"We expect a high demand because the quality is excellent," Archie says. "Yukon grown meat is hormone free, raised in pristine Yukon conditions, and since the battoir will travel to the farms, the animals will hnot experience the stress of transportation to the abattoir, or crowding on feed lots as they do down south. These are qualities many Yukoners will appreciate and factor into their purchasing decisions once the products are regularly available in stores and restaurants."

Archie, it should be noted, has had years of business experience in the hotel and grocery businesses, in Watson Lake, Whitehorse, and Old Crow. So, he knows whereof he speaks!



The "Vision for Yukon Agriculture" developed with Archie's leadership, and in consultation with Yukon farmers and grocers, aims for an industry that significantly increases its production of healthy locally grown food for local consumption.

Russ Hobbis YP Candidate in Copperbelt Riding

The Yukon Party had yet another nomination meeting, this time at the Transportation Museum. Russ Hobbis won the nomination to represent Copperbelt Riding in the next territorial election.

A Yukon resident for more than 2 decades, he has been small business owner, a minor hockey coach, a civilian member of the RCMP and a corrections officer. With his wife, Jennifer, Mr Hobbis serves as an executive committee member of the Walk to Cure Diabetes, Whitehorse.

He knows that fiscal responsibility is key to Yukon's future, saying, "I am impressed with the record of the Yukon Party in turning around the economy. In less than four years, their vision for building Yukon's future has made a tremendous impact on Yukoners' lives by increasing opportunities for our families and improving the health of our communities."

In Mr Hobbis' opinion, this government's "Substance Abuse Action Plan" and the "Safer Communities Proposal" legislation will provide effective ways to deal with repeat offenders with addictions, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and mental health problems, as well as 'drug houses' that destabilize entire neighbourhoods.

Jeannie Van Bibber Mayo-Tatchun Candidate

Jeannie Van Bibber as been acclaimed as the Yukon Party Candidate for the Mayo-Tatchun riding in Pelly Crossing. She is the daughter of George and Moriah Van Bibber, and is a descendent of Ira Van Bibber, an early prospector in the Pelly area.

She said a couple of interesting things: "I chose the Yukon Party because I like their record on social policy and support for the family...." and " The Yukon Party government is building a new school in Carmacks and a recreation center in Mayo. Their commitment to the riding of Mayo-Tatchun is clearly evident."

Also, she mentioned that the Yukon Party government signed off (this past May) the Lhutsaw Habitat Protection Area plan for Pelly Crossing. "This was a commitment in the Treaty and is very important to the people of Pelly Crossing" It was prepared by the Selkirk First Nation and the Yukon Government.

The last of the Tetley Tea Club

Neil Duncan died this weekend, in Whitehorse. He was the last of a trio of friends who met regularly - in Hector Lang's kitchen - for a pot of tea and good conversation.

Neil (the middle man in the photo) was a farm boy from Saskatchewan, a soldier, a logger, a miner and a mechanic.

Hector Lang (on the left), was a sailor, a carpenter, and a bridge builder.

Gordon McIntyre (on the right), was a sailor, a heavy equipment operator and a miner.

Hector died in 2001; Gordon in 2003; and now, Neil, in 2006.

They were mighty men, here in the Yukon Territory.

Mines Open Session

Continuing with my public service, of hyperlinks to people and organizations participating in this conference, the following are involved in the "Open Session of the Mines Ministers' Conference:

FIRST PART: CHAIRED BY MINISTER GARY LUNN:

Richard Nesbitt, Chief CEO of TXS Group
Building on Canada's Global Advantage
The "TSX Group" operates Canada’s two national stock exchanges serving the senior equity and public venture capital equitymarkets as well as NGX, a leading NorthAmerican exchange for the trading and clearing of natural gas and electricitycontracts.

Peter R Jones, First Vice-Chair, Mining Association of Canada
MAC's mission is to promote, through the collective action of members, the growth and development of Canada's mining and mineral-processing industry, for the benefit of all Canadians. Mr Jones represents HudBay Minerals Inc with the MAC.

Patricia Dillon, President,
Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
The PDAC is a national organization that supports the mineral exploration anddevelopment sector of the Canadian mineral industry.

Kelly Lendsay, President
Aboriginal Human Resources Development Council of Canada
Canada's leading innovators in Aboriginal recruitment, retention and advancement.Building solutions and partnerships that create employment opportunities, inclusive workplaces for Aboriginal peoples and a skilled workforce for employers

SECOND PART: CHAIRED BY MINISTER ARCHIE LANG:

Jon Baird, Managing Director, and a founding member of CAMESE
Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export (CAMESE)
A group of Canadian mining suppliers were sitting around the swimming pool of their hotel in Lima, Peru in 1981, when they realized that there were things they could do together to benefit all in marketing to the global mining industry. This realization was the moment of conception of OMESE – Ontario Mining Equipment and Services for Export, which was formally founded after their return to Canada, and led to the national association, CAMESE, five years later.

Jacques Saint-Cyr, Executive Director
Consortium de recherche minerale (COREM) du Quebec
This is a pre-competitive research consortium whose focus is the processing and transformation of mineral substances. COREM is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to improve the competitiveness of member companies through development and transfer of technological innovations customized to their specific needs.

Luc Vandamme, Director, Falconbridge Ltd
The official corporate website is here. However, there is another one, perhaps more inclusive, here.

Angus Robertson, Deputy Minister
Dept of Energy, Mines, and Resources, Yukon
He will report on Workshop, "Opportunities for Partnership.

Today is Council of Energy Ministers Day

I promised to post the relevant links to today's participants for the OPEN SESSION (which lasts until noon, lunchtime). So, here they are:

PANEL ON ENERGY AWARENESS AND INFORMATION:
David Butters, Association of Power Producers of Ontario.
Formerly known as the Independent Power Producers' Society of Ontario, this organization has grown to represent over 95% of the Ontario electricity market, more than 30,000 MW of power generation capacity.

Michael Cleland, Canadian Gas Association.
The Canadian Gas Association represents Canada 's natural gas delivery industry. CGA members are gas distribution companies, transmission companies, related equipment manufacturers, and other service providers involved in the delivery of natural gas in Canada and the United States.

Colleen Killingsworth, President, Canadian Centre for Energy Information.
"The Centre for Energy™ recognizes that conferences, workshops and other activities play a key role in developing relationships, building understanding, promoting inquiry and stimulating informed discussion about issues affecting North American energy industries, investors, policy-makers and consumers."

ENERGY TECHNOLOGY: DISCUSSION
Michael Raymont, Energy I Net Inc
"EnergyINet's Vision: to help Canada become an energy superpower by accelerating the development and deployment of advanced, environmentally sustainable energy systems and technologies."

Mark Jaccard, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Jaccard is an economist focusing on sustainable energy systems.

Angus Bruneau, Energy Council of Canada
The Energy Council of Canada is the Canadian national member of the World Energy Council, and is made up of representatives from all facets of Canada's energy sector.

INDUSTRY DIALOGUE STEERING COMMITTEE: REPORT
Cassie Doyle, Deputy Minister, National Resources Canada
appointed Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada in June 2006.

Hans Konow, Industry Dialogue Steering Committee
Mr. Konow is currently president and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association in Montreal. He has worked with the federal government's anti-dumping directorate and with the electrical and electronic branch of Industry Canada.

All this is occurring at the Yukon Convention Centre (next to the High Country Inn).

Welcoming Reception, Energy & Mines 2006

Last night, the Yukon - and Archie's Dept - hosted a welcoming reception for conference participants. It was held at the Transportation Museum. As Archie said in his speech, the Yukon Territory is all about transportation. As an aside: did you know they have an airplane hanging from the museum's ceiling that is the sister to the one Linbergh flew to Europe, back in the day?

Anyway, welcoming speeches were made by Archie, Dennis Fentie and the fella from Ottawa, Gary Lunn (Federal Minister of Natural Resources). Minister Lunn could not pronounce Premier Fentie's surname (some kind of weird suffix), and mentioned that Whitehorse is at Mile 681 on the Alaska Highway... However, apart from those problems, his speech was impeccable - and short.

I learned one important thing (aside from that airplane): it takes a lot of organization and work to put on a national conference of this order. The EMR people deserve kudoes for this. The last time Yukon hosted this event was in 1992.

The food was great. It was produced by High Country Inn (which is not paying me to tell you this. )

Brewery Creek trip

Archie is in Brewery Creek, near Dawson City, with the rest of the Conference attendees. The party will return to Whitehorse this afternoon.

Brewery Creek was closed in 2002 because of low gold prices. Since then, Alexco Resource Corp. has expended - through April 2006 - approximately $600,000 at Brewery Creek for the 2006 reclamation program.

To quote from their website, "Alexco Resource Corp.'s business is to unlock value and manage risk at mature, closed or abandoned minesites through deployment of the company's core competencies and skills which include management of environmental services, execution of mine reclamation and closure operations and where appropriate, rejuvenation of exploration and development activity."

Reclamation of the mine is complete this year, and long-term monitoring is ongoing.

This weekend: Energy and Mines Conference

There is a full schedule online here. Archie is co-chairing the sessions with the Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Lunn.

Essentially, Sunday is "Welcome" day, and some Geologist committee meetings at the Westmark.

Monday will be given over to Energy. After checking out the speakers, I would say they represent various "think tanks" dedicated to 'Whither Energy???', something that is of great interest to all of us, as we edge up to winter, and paying huge amounts of $$$ to (in my case) Mitchell Petroleum. In a later post, I will list these speakers with the relevant links. They are all of national stature.

Tuesday is Mining Day. By its nature (much more specific than "energy") the speakers are more practically oriented. I am most impressed that the head of the Toronto Stock Exchange is one of the speakers. Money is so PRACTICAL, is it not?

More for the Hibbard Porter fans!

The archives has "Ferguson's Directory", which lists Yukon People back in 1899. Among these people is: "Porter, Bert, DC, YT, miner." This, I would bet, is our man, Hibbard.

Also, in the Yukon Minfile, Yukon Geological Survey (Minfile 105L 003, page of 0f 2), under "Little Salmon", the writer suggests that this was probably ORIGINALLY staked by Hibbard Porter, as the latter described his finding as being in the Glenlyon Range, 35 miles from the Pelly River...

YP nominations proceed apace..

Dean Hassard was acclaimed as YP Candidate for Porter Creek South Thursday evening. He has represented Pelly-Nisutlan up to now, but since he now lives in Whitehorse (with his 3 incredibly cute kids, and very pretty wife, Carrie) he feels he can better serve Yukon from his present home base. His former riding will be well represented by the new YP Candidate, Marian Horne. In the absence of any other picture for today, I re-run the photo I took at the Barbecue last week:

Dogs for Drug Free Schools Program

The "Dogs for Drug Free Schools" is one of the more innovative programmes designed to keep drugs out of our schools and make them safer for the students and the community as a whole.

The idea, modelled on a successful one now being used in Medicine Hat, Alberta, will NOT involve a 'police' dog. Rather, the dog will be a low allergen puppy, raised in the school, and trained in drug detection techniques, in order to deter their possession and use.

This is a 3 year pilot project. Details are still being worked out by the Advisory Committee. Local service clubs and the veterinarian community will partner with the school on this project and the Medicine Hat project will serve as a 'buddy' to PCSS.

Archie has worked very closely with the advisory committee , and was instrumental in getting the necessary funding to help this program become a reality.

Archie goes walkabout...

This is the time for walking around his riding, and knocking on doors, and sounding people out as to how they feel about the job Archie has done for them as their representative, and what they want from him in the future.

This photo was taken this evening (Thursday), on Redwood. Linda Dixon accompanied him on his rounds tonight. If you want to know where he plans on being before he gets there - or if you want him to visit YOUR home - you can email me and I will pass the message on IMMEDIATELY. My email address is: heathermc (at) northwestel (dot) net.

Nomination meetings yesterday and tonight

Last night, Teslin hosted a Yukon Party Nomination meeting for the Pelly-Nisutlin Riding. Two people vied for the nomination: Marian Horne and James Smarch. Both are members of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation. Marian Horne won, and is quoted as stating, "The Yukon Party Government recognizes the need for more women in politics."

It was impressive that 2 people wanted that nomination. Premier Fentie (who was there) said it was gratifying to see young Yukoners step forward and taken an active role in the political process.

MLA Dean Hassard, current rep for the Pelly Nisutlin Riding was also present, to hand over the reins to Ms Horne. Tonight, he will seek the Yukon Party nomination of Porter Creek South (6:30 pm, Holy Family School).

the first sentence in a great history:

"A great many things keep happening, some of them good, some of them bad."

(Gregory, Bishop of Tours, d 597)

Nomination meeting tomorrow (reminder)

Nomination Meeting for Porter Creek South

This nomination meeting will be held 24 August (Thursday), 6:30 pm, at the Holy Family School. Dean Hassard has flung his hat into the ring, to be the Yukon Party candidate for this riding.

Holy Family School is at 55 Wann Road.

A little thing, but....

your Blogress took this photo this morning and is making a "to do" list: winterize the vehicle, unpack the winter woolies, and get ready for a fall election! The Writ has not been dropped, but it will be soon....

more on Versluce Meadows information

Gail Johnson says: "If you say the map will be up and I'll give a 10-minute explanation, short question period, that would be good.Thanks! The date and time are right.Gail"
There.
To repeat: the Porter Creek Comm Assoc's AGM will happen on Monday, Sept 11, , 6:00 pm at the Guild Hall.

News about Versluce Meadows

The Park Committee of the Porter Creek Community Assoc has received the plan from the consultant, Inukshuk Consulting.

The first step in making this Meadow into a reality was to transfer the land from the YTG to the City of Whitehorse, and the second was to provide $$ for the above study. Archie has been front and centre here, working with Gail Johnson, the president of the Park Committee, and the residents' group. This plan will be available for the Porter Creek Comm Assoc's AGM on Monday, Sept 11, , 6:00 pm at the Guild Hall.

The NEXT phase will be to make a detailed plan for 'what kind of park do you want, anyway," which means plenty of exhilarating meetings next winter. The final step, after the sturm und drang, will be actual construction. In his newsletter, Archie notes that, "It is great to see the area surrounding the lake is now the home for a growing number of birds and wildlife." When the Versluce Meadows is complete, it will be a truly beautiful addition to Porter Creek and the City of Whitehorse.

Yukon prospectors Harry and Pete VERSLUCE, by the way, were involved in the Whitehorse copperbelt claims that morphed into New Imperial Mines. Their names can be seen on the bronze prospector statue at the corner of Main and Third, Whitehorse. They were also longtime residents of Porter Creek (named after one of their predecessors, Hibbard E Porter), along with their friend, Chuck GIBBONS. A great - and short - bio has been written of the Versluces by Jane Gaffin, herself an expert on Yukon's mining history (she wrote "Cashing In" among other books.)

Sherwood Copper Minto Project

Sherwood Copper has announced some new highlights to its Minto Copper Gold Project. Its feasibility study is complete, and production (actual producation) is targeted for the 2d quarter of next year (2007). The company is describing the mine as high grade in copper and gold, with low operating costs, and (being in Canada) of low political risk. It will be open pit, and will make us of Yukon Energy's excess hydro capacity... It might be noted that the Yukon Party welcomes such mining activity, as long as environmental and social regulations are met. In this case, all Licenses and permits are in good standing.

Auction of goodies at upcoming Mining Conference

Each province has contributed an item to the Mining Conference auction that will be held on this coming weekend, and there is a nice collection of pictures of said items at this website. Interestingly enough, one province has been forgotten in the line-up. Perhaps said province has no "resources?"

Nomination Meeting for Porter Creek South

This nomination meeting will be held 24 August (Thursday), 6:30 pm, at the Holy Family School. Dean Hassard has flung his hat into the ring, to be the Yukon Party candidate for this riding.

Holy Family School is the one at 55 Wann Road.

The Klondike Harvest Fair

The Yukon Agricultural Association put on their annual fair this past weekend at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse.

Archie made a speech (he IS a politician, and he IS in charge of the Agriculture Dept) and mentioned his government's new policy that will guide this industry into a larger and more diversified future. Said policy was - of course - developed in consultation with everyone who could possibly be interested (the word is 'stakeholders'). This Agriculture Policy Framework has lured more Federal dollars to the Yukon, to help with food safety, quality, risk management, etc.

Also, it may be useful to know that Archie's Agriculture Dept supports this very same Harvest Fair, and the Fireweed Farmers Market; financial $$$ to help farmers bring land back into production... and the FIRST APPROVED CHEESE MAKING FACILITY in the Yukon!

After 2 days of silence... a note from your Blogress

Authoring a blog is like keeping a pet: you have to feed it every day (unless your pet is a snake; if so, try to imagine it's a hamster or something... work with me, here! ) Yet, I have let the poor thing down for the past couple of days.

To Explain:I have been finishing a data base of voter names in Porter Creek Centre, to make Archie's campaign more efficient. For the past (it seems like) 100 years, I have been entering telephone numbers to go with those names. Greater love hath no sister, that she crouches over a keyboard puzzling over Northwestel's Gift to the Telephone Public .... as I think, "why oh why am I doing this?"

I guess it boils down to my honest conviction that Archie and his partners in the Yukon Party really have made a positive difference for this Territory - and they deserve, really deserve, a second round as our government.

As to Archie himself, he brings to the table years of experience in the business world, not only in
Whitehorse, but also in Watson Lake and Old Crow; he knows how to negotiate good deals, and has done so as a Cabinet Minister; and he works really hard at the job. He has supported efforts to deal with Yukon's drug epidemic, as well as programs that can help out families that are having a difficult time getting by. Most important of all, he loves the Yukon, and wants it to be a great place to live, for himself and for his children, and for your children, too.

So, onward, there are a couple of comments to add to MarchForArch. I'll finish that dreadful data base TOMORROW!!
(Signed) Your Blogress

Archie announces his campaign manager is..

Archie has announced that PATRICE BERREL will be his campaign manager for the coming election. Pat tells me that you can email him at jpberrel2002@yahoo.ca and that his home number is 667-7381. Pat has also emailed a few facts for this blog, which I will share with you asap!!

So who was PORTER in Porter Creek, anyway?

Since it is Saturday, I thought you might be interested in the 'PORTER' in the Creek. Well, the Yukon Prospector's Association has a nice little bio, by Frank McKenna here. It seems that Porter staked the PUEBLO claim in the Whitehorse Copperbelt back in the day. Although Jack McIntyre (McIntyre Creek??) staked the first claim here, ("Copper King"), the Pueblo was the more successful in that it was the only mine working by 1912. There was a nasty accident at the mine in 21 March, 1917 in which many people were killed.

Porter was also in on the beginning of DIVISION coal deposit in Carmacks, etc. Take a look at that bio, Porter was an active guy in Yukon's mining history.

Three men, with familiar names, applied to the mining recorder for permission to make use of Porter Creek (note that the creek is ALREADY "Porter") for mining and milling purposes: HE PORTER; JOHN MCINTYRE and WP GRAINGER.

As to Porter's full name, it was "Hibbard A Porter" (from a formal application he made, now at the Yukon Archives). As a further lesson in skepticism, note that Coutts' "Yukon Places and Names, 2d ed, 2003, says that Porter died in 1907; but McKenna's bio says he lived on, happily married at least until 1912.

day after the Barbecue...

Archie is on his way up to Minto this morning. The trip has something to do with The Sherwood Copper-Gold Project.

As to the VerSluce Meadows Park, the 'study' I mentioned last week is step one of a 3 step process. Apparently, the mining of that black dirt has meant that the creek therein is too high for its banks. (Now, up until now, it has never occurred to me that Porter Creek is a CREEK. All this stuff to learn, and so little time to learn it!) The study - apparently - deals with the water course options. All these "apparently's " are necessary because a truly awful virus has felled the lead people involved in the project.

Except for Archie, who is up there in Minto...

Barbecue at Porter Creek Super A...

The August 17 Barbecue had a lot of fans, and our MLAs were kept busy cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the folk who turned out and lined up for what turned out to be very good food, and excellent coffee.

Archie did his share of flipping hamburgers, and also spent time talking with various Yukoners.





Also busy at the grill were Jim Kenyon and Brad Cathers. They, too, looked great in their classy aprons!


Glen Hart and Dean Hassard came along, not to cook, but to schmooze and test the barbecue skills of Jim, Brad and Archie.... Dean Hassard, by the way is presently the MLA for Pelly-Nisutlin, but has decided to give that up and seek the Yukon Party nomination for Porter Creek South.

Last Night's PM Speech

He talked about the tourism aspect of the Yukon and - the important part ($$$),

"During his speech, the Prime Minister announced that the federal
government will provide an additional $9.5 million to cover the cost of
transporting athletes, coaches, and officials to Whitehorse. "

This whole North-of-Sixty tour is about "... the government’s agenda
of re-asserting Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, supporting private-sector
job creation, particularly in the resource development sector, and highlighting the
role the region will play in making our country a global energy
superpower."

And, for the entire thing, including a photo of the PM with our own Fentie, you can click here.

Barbecue Time... a Reminder

This is a reminder, that there is going to be a Barbecue at the Porter Creek Super A parking lot (Centennial Road). Your hosts will be ARCHIE, and Brad Cathers and Jim Kenyon. Judging from last year, the hamburgers are BIG and tasty, and also, you can chat it up with the aforementioned Legislators. The event will commence at 4:30 pm, and go on until 8 pm.

Since it is in a parking lot, you can park your car/van/SUV/RV/airplane right there, next to the barbecue itself. If the weather is like today's, you had better wear your woolly underwear (even if it is August), the better to enjoy yourself and the other people who drop in.

You don't need an invitation, either!

Public? Private? Neither?

The previous post is a direct copy of the PM's website, which does NOT say (exactly) that the DINNER tonight is Public. So, reading the fine print, it ISN'T A PUBLIC DINNER FOLKS, you have to pay, and the guests already have their invites. (No, I haven't got one, darnnn, I just LOVE going to that sort of shindig, but my dress is at the cleaners).

Anyway, I assume the PM's speech will be made available by his office, and I will guide you to it when it appears, so you can read what he actually says.

However. He is whisking his way across the north, and has made one speech in the NWT about "Securing Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic", which will have some relevance to Yukon's economic future. I could be mistaken, the the last time a PM explicitly noticed the North, it led to a "Roads to Resources" project here in the north (that was Diefenbaker's time).

Tomorrow, the PM will tour the Jericho diamond mine near Yellowknife.

Timetable for PM's Yukon Visit today...

I guess it's better late than never: the PM's office just put up Harper's schedule for his day's visit in Whitehorse:
Public events for August 16 and 17, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario
Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Wednesday, August 16th are:

12:30 p.m. – The Prime Minister arrives at the Canada Winter Games Centre and is greeted by the Government Leader of Yukon, the Honourable Dennis Fentie.
Canada Games Centre200 Hamilton Blvd.Whitehorse, Yukon
***Photo opportunity

7:00 p.m. - The Prime Minister attends dinner hosted by the Government Leader of Yukon, the Honourable Dennis Fentie
High Country Convention CentreHigh Country Inn
4051 - Fourth AvenueWhitehorse, Yukon
***Remarks and photo opportunity

CBC caught "editing" Harper's remarks

..."Editing" meaning a cut and paste job to imply that Mr. Harper is a cold hearted nasty person who doesn't care about the 'feelings' of cute little ladies. One Stephen Taylor has a terrific video on his site "Conservative Party of Canada Pundit", showing (a) the CBC news clip; and then (b) the ENTIRE question and answer session, showing what Mr. Harper SAID. This is a great lesson in news editing for Canadian citizens and (not incidentally) taxpayers...(hat tip to Bill Barnie for pointing this out)

and on the Yukon Agriculture front...

When it comes to Agriculture, Archie's experience as a grocer in Watson Lake, Whitehorse and Old Crow means that he has real understanding of Yukon farmers and their problems in marketing their produce to fellow Yukoners.

With Archie's leadership, the Yukon has come up with a "Vision for Yukon Agriculture," as "an industry that significantly increases its production of healthy locally grown food for local consumption. This document describes the Yukon government’s policies and procedures for
agriculture in the Territory."

This report is 47 pages long, and follows a November 2005 report outlining "What we (the YTG) heard". Archie's Dept of Ag has arranged for Yukon farmers to have a mobile abbatoir , and has obtained the sort of regulations that make it easier for farmers to gain ownership of agricultural land. Also, Yukon farmers now have the ability to access Federal agricultural loans
programs.

The Dept of Agriculture has a website with news and information and forms you can download here.

August Conference on Mining and Energy

This shindig is, my friends, the Real Deal:

Archie Lang, our own Minister of Mines and Energy, will co-chair the conference
with the Hon. Gary Lunn, Canada's Minister of National Resources for Canada. Lunn's parliamentary website is here, but there is a more inclusive entry at wikipedia, here.

There will be 4 presentations, by people who know what they are talking about:

"Building on Canada's Global Mining Advantage", by the CEO of the Toronto Stock Exchange Group (in business logo language,
"TSX"), Richard Nesbitt. It seems that the TSX Group "operates Canada's two national stock exchanges serving the senior equity and public
venture captical equity markes, as well as NGX, a leading North American exchange for the trading and clearing of natural
gass and electrity contracts...."

Submission from the Mining Association of Canada, presented by its Chairman, Derek Pannell
This association, originally called "Canadian Metal Mining Association", was incorporated in 1935. Its mission statement declares that "MAC's mission is to promote, through the collective action of members, the growth and development of Canada's mining and mineral-processing industry, for the benefit of all Canadians. Derek Pannell, CEO of Falconbridge, was elected
Chairman of MAC in June, 2006.

Submission from the President of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Patricia Dillon. This organization (est 1932) has 5,000 members, including 630 corporate members. It concentrates on advocacy, education and information, in order to ensure a robust Canadian mining industry. Patricia Dillon has - among other things - Managed the Corporate
Relations of Teck Corporation; and has been president of PADAC since its inception in 1997. She was chair of the Ontario Mining Association First nations Video Task Force that developed the "Mining New Opportunities" resource for Aboriginal communities.

Submission from the President of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Council of Canada, Kelly Lendsay. The AHRDCC "is one of Canada's leading innovators in Aboriginal recruitment, retention and advancement." Kelly Lendsay was the first Director of Aboriginal Business Programs at the University of Saskatchewn, where he helped start several Aboriginal business programs. He is a director with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum.

There is a website with the schedule here

And it all happens August 26 to 29th, in Whitehorse, Yukon.

PM Stephen Harper to drop in...

The Prime Minister is planning on dropping in for supper, etc., on the 16th (next Wednesday).

Yukon to Host National Energy & Mines Conference

Archie will co-chair this important meeting with the Hon Gary Lunn, who is Minister of National Resources for Canada. It is planned for 27 t0 the 29 August here in Whitehorse. There will be more about the participants tomorrow.

Versluce Meadows Park: NEWS coming up

A preliminary report is expected by early next week. Archie - who knew the Versluce brothers when he was a young fella - has been one of the main proponents of getting this Park established. The Land has been transferred to the City, and the YTG provided some $30,000 for planning the venture.

When the report is available, we will update you on this...

Mining and Energy Activity

If you think that there has been an increase in mineral exploration Up Here, you are absolutely correct. In fact, the numbers are: $6.9 million in 2002... up to $107 million projected for this year! Archie has led government efforts in new management processes aimed at helping mining projects through regulatory hurdles, and it shows:

Presently there are THREE big projects in the works, "approaching production decisions" (to quote Archie in his November speech): Yukon Zinc's Wolverine Project, which has spawned a "draft screening report, available on the Web; Sherwood Copper's Minto Copper-Gold Project; and the Cash Minerals Division Mountain Coal Deposit. The latter plans on expanding our Yukon Coal Reserves, and is evaluating Coal Liquefication projects.

Then there are a couple of other noteworthy projects: Western Silver's Carmacks Copper has a serious drilling program going on; and the Tintina Mines has announced that it is planning an advanced underground exploration program on its Red Mountain Molybdenum Project.

The Energy Mines and Resources website has a handy list of Mineral Exploration and Mining companies active here, by the way.

for a nice overview of Yukon's mining activity

Mining exploration has increased continuously since the Yukon Party became our government. The speech he made at the Yukon GeoScience Forum last November is online and available here. I'll add more information on the developments he mentioned tomorrow...

Barbecue coming up on August 17

Archie, Brad Cathers and Jim Kenyon (great cooks all of them) are having a barbecue in the Super A parking lot (Centennial Drive), 17 August, Thursday, between 4:30 and 8:00 pm. You are invited to come and join in - and bring friends too.