Most permits and licenses necessary for resource exploration and extraction are issued by the Government of Yukon. If the activity is being conducted on Settlement Land, the respective First Nation may also issue licenses or require contractual arrangements, depending on whether the activity is on Category A or B Settlement Land, and whether it was grandfathered activity under the First Nation's Final Agreement.
Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment
Yukon resource activity is assessed under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) process unless exempted by legislation or regulation (for example, if the activity is below the threshold that triggers assessment). Unlike most other Canadian jurisdictions, a single process applies in Yukon to projects under federal, territorial, or First Nation jurisdiction, in accordance with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA). Assessments are conducted by assessors from one of YESAB's six Designated Offices or by members of YESAB, all of whom operate at arms length from government. Once the assessment is completed, recommendations are provided to the governments with Decision Body status. They then decide whether to accept, reject, or vary the assessment recommendations. After a Decision Document has been issued by the Decision Body(ies), government regulators may issue the required permits and licenses.
The Governments of Canada, Yukon and/or a Yukon First Nation with a First Nation Final Agreement are Decision Bodies if they have regulatory responsibilities associated with the project, own the land, fund the project, or are the proponent.
- Review the Designated Office (DO) boundaries map to find out which DO will review your proposal.
- The flow charts below describe the YESAA assessment process, including expected timelines for each stage.
- YESAA Application Form
