When the Watchdogs Refuse to Bark: The Yukon’s Accountability Crisis

When the Watchdogs Refuse to Bark: The Yukon’s Accountability Crisis

The recent correspondence from our government regarding the scandalous "Quebec hunt" in the Dawson area is as disappointing as it is disturbing according to Mr. Boisvert. A Yukon Hunter/Taxpayer has now contacted us for an update and wow!

In a statement from Mr. Boisvert

In a move that has become standard practice for this government, they have refused to take responsibility. Instead of enforcing the Yukon Wildlife Act, they have twisted the situation to imply that we, the taxpayers and hunters, must now "build the case" ourselves.

Let's be clear: It is not the job of the citizen to be the investigator, the witness, and the Crown Prosecutor all in one. That is the job of the Conservation Officers and the government employees we pay with our taxes.

Its insulting to every Yukon hunter who respects the land and the laws. We are the front-line defense protecting our resources for future generations, yet when we demand accountability for enforcement, the government turns the tables on us.

Accountability starts with the law-makers and those hired to enforce the laws. When the government spends more time dodging responsibility than protecting our wildlife, they have failed the people of Yukon. We aren't asking for favors; we are demanding that the laws on the books be enforced. As seen below I have taken this task with respectful correspondence on behalf of Yukon hunters that contacted me and that see the double standards. Based on the response below we are not surprised but extremely disappointed. What we are looking at now is probably the biggest corruption scandal in Yukon history. Look I respect C,O services they have a lot of territory to cover but when Yukon hunters see crimes in their backyard and report it it should immediately be investigated. When a TIPP line is reported do the informant get cross examined? So what's the next step? besides the ombudsman to handle our elected officials we are looking at The Alberta's Serious Crimes Units to investigate the C,O's Services in charge of enforcing the Wildlife Act. The reason Alberta, in Yukon Wildlife Act states that RCMP in Yukon are conservation Officers under the Act a conflict of interest is definitely recognized. We will fight all the way and make sure that out of town hunters are held accountable to our way of life and our laws including Government services to enforce the laws on the books. See correspondence below and we will show Yukon Hunters/Taxpayers that this is not acceptable. Thanks to Yukontario for letting me the opportunity to post our concerns.

N.Boisvert

For a conservation officer enforcing the Wildlife Act, corruption means using their authority illegally or unethically to benefit themselves or someone else instead of enforcing the law fairly.

Examples include:

• accepting bribes to ignore wildlife violations

• selectively enforcing the law for friends, family, or personal gain

• falsifying reports or evidence

• seizing or mishandling wildlife or property for personal use

• warning offenders in advance

• fabricating charges or tickets

• covering up violations or misconduct

In this context, it’s basically an abuse of official power that undermines fair enforcement of the Wildlife Act.