Whitehorse passes resolution to oust Community Services Minister

The mayor of Whitehorse and city councillors say they're fed up with what the lack of cooperation they’re getting from Brad Cathers, the MLA for Lake Laberge and Minister of Community Services.

Mayor Dan Curtis says he's asked Premier Darrell Pasloski to replace Cathers more than once.

"I'm exasperated by the inaction and the disrespect and the breaking of protocol,” Curtis says.

“We've tried and tried and tried, and meetings are held without us being invited, or our concerns not being addressed, our opinions not being asked for. It seems to be that it's not a municipal government's issue. Well, I beg to differ.”

Council members agreed unanimously with the mayor's concerns.

Last night, they passed a resolution asking the premier for a better partnership with the Yukon Government. They want Cathers shuffled to a different department.

"I don't like to get at odds with people, but I think we've exhausted all the avenues for negotiation,” says councillor Dave Stockdale.

Council says its major concern is that Cathers, who's also the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, isn't working with the city to create a plan for affordable housing.

The mayor and council want to work with the Yukon Government to design and fund programs for affordable housing.

But Curtis says Cathers' lack of cooperation makes it hard to create housing programs.