Several boards and committees, most created under the First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement [PDF 463KB], manage Yukon's natural resources. In addition to providing recommendations to the government, these public bodies help in planning, prioritizing, and managing specific areas of interest, providing a cohesive approach to governance of the territory.
Dispute Resolution Board
The mandate of the Dispute Resolution Board, under Chapter 26 of the Umbrella Final Agreement [PDF 463KB], is to appoint mediators and arbitrators, and to establish rules and procedures governing mediation and arbitration. This board provides a comprehensive dispute resolution process to resolve disputes which arise out of the interpretation, administration, or implementation of settlement agreements or settlement legislation, and to facilitate the out-of-court resolution of disputes in a non-adversarial and informal atmosphere.
Renewable Resources Councils (RRCs)
RRCs, under Chapter 16 of the Yukon First Nations’ Final Agreements [PDF 463KB], are the primary instrument for local renewable resources management in that area. Each Renewable Resources Council makes recommendations, on any matter related to fish and wildlife, to the Yukon government’s Minister of Environment, the affected First Nation(s), the Fish and Wildlife Management Board, and the Salmon Sub-Committee.
Yukon Surface Rights Board
Under Chapter 8 of the Umbrella Final Agreement [PDF 463KB], the primary role of the Surface Rights Board is to resolve access disputes between those owning or having an interest in land (surface rights holders) and others with access rights to the land. The Surface Rights Board gets involved in disputes when the parties are unable to reach an agreement and a party applies to the Surface Rights Board. If an agreement between parties is not reached, the Surface Rights Board issues an order that establishes the terms and conditions of a right of access (if any) to the land. An order from this board has the same legal effect as an order of the Supreme Court of Yukon.
Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB)
Under Chapter 12 of the Umbrella Final Agreement [PDF 463KB], the Yukon government, Canadian government, and the Council of Yukon First Nations were required to bring forward legislation to provide a single environmental and socio-economic assessment process for projects under federal, territorial, or First Nation jurisdiction. The YESAA legislation created the Board and its six Designated Offices that administer the Act and regulations.
Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board
Under Chapter 16 of the Umbrella Final Agreement [PDF 463KB], the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board is the primary instrument of fish and wildlife management in Yukon. It makes recommendations to the Minister of Environment, Yukon First Nations, and the Renewable Resource Councils on all matters related to fish and wildlife management, legislation, research, policies, and programs.
Yukon Land Use Planning Council
Chapter 11 of the Umbrella Final Agreement [PDF 463KB] established the Yukon Land Use Planning Council which makes recommendations to government and each of the affected Yukon First Nations on land use planning policies, goals, priorities, planning regions, and the general terms of reference for Land Use Planning Commissions.
Yukon Water Board (YWB)
Chapter 14 of the Umbrella Final Agreement [PDF 463KB] and the Waters Act set out the requirements for the Yukon Water Board. The YWB's powers cover a range of discretionary and non-discretionary authorities, which include: issuing or amending a Water License, holding license application hearings, regulating water use, prescribing information requirements, assigning a license, cancelling a license, and advising the Minister of the Executive Council Office on various water planning matters.
