Statement from Premier Pillai on critical minerals and energy meeting with Minister Wilkinson

Premier Pillai has issued the following statement:

“On January 5, I met with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson about mining and critical minerals in the Yukon alongside Yukon MP Brendan Hanley and Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker.

“I was also pleased to be joined by representatives of industry groups with mineral interests in the territory, including the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce and senior mining companies invested in Yukon projects, as well as local explorers and producers. This was a productive opportunity to hear from industry directly about the importance of access to secure, adequate clean energy for project development.

“Our discussions focused on the possibility of a grid interconnection between the Yukon and British Columbia. This is an ambitious concept and, if pursued, could help provide a solution to the Yukon’s long-term energy needs and help mining companies meet their emissions-reduction goals. A grid interconnection would be a tremendous opportunity for shared growth and prosperity and for northern energy security which is critical to Canada’s Arctic sovereignty.

“We also discussed the importance of supply chain infrastructure such as clean energy and port infrastructure for priorities including critical minerals exploration and economic reconciliation with First Nations.

“I thank Minister Wilkinson for his attention to these key issues. I look forward to continued work here at home and with our federal counterparts as we develop a greener mining industry in the North.”