FOR RELEASE     #08-135
June 4, 2008

 WHITEHORSE – The Yukon government will not join the B.C. - Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).

“Yukon remains committed to eliminating existing internal trade barriers and will work through the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) to address those issues,” Premier Dennis Fentie said. “We will continue to encourage business investment from other jurisdictions and we support Yukon businesses who venture beyond our borders.” 

After a thorough analysis we concluded that one of the challenges associated with joining TILMA included possible difficulties implementing the recommendations of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board and the large costs associated with dispute resolution.

The internal review of TILMA included legal counsel and input from six Yukon organizations:

• Council of Yukon First Nations
• Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce
• Yukon Chamber of Commerce
• Association of Yukon Communities
• Yukon Indian Development Corporation
• Yukon Federation of Labour

The government will continue to evaluate internal trade issues through the AIT, which is a national intergovernmental trade agreement signed by Canadian First Ministers to reduce and eliminate barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and investment within Canada and to establish an open, efficient, and stable domestic market.

“Yukon’s Economic Development Minister, Jim Kenyon, will assume the chair of the working committee of the AIT, the Committee on Internal Trade in December,” Fentie added. “As chair, Yukon will hold a seat of significant authority while it continues to negotiate strongly to ensure the AIT meets the needs of Yukoners.”

Kenyon is attending a meeting of the Committee on Internal Trade June 9 and 10 in Vancouver.

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Please visit www.economicdevelopment.gov.yk.ca for further information.