Yukon premier hits up U.S. for Alaska Highway money
Wants U.S. to reinstate annual funding for reconstruction of highway
Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski is in Washington, D.C., this week speaking with members of the U.S. Congress and Senate about reinstating annual funds for reconstruction of the Alaska Highway.
The United States had been providing the money as part of the 1977 Shakwak Agreement with Canada until 2012.
Pasloski says the United States has been getting a pretty good deal, and it's their responsibility to continue the funding.
"Canada, Yukon, British Columbia, have put approximately $1.5 billion into the Alaska Highway. The U.S. has committed about $460 million, so that's a little less than 25 per cent," he says.
"I tell the senators and congressmen, 'Look, you've invested about 25 per cent of the money into this highway, but 85 per cent of traffic is U.S. traffic."
The premier says the cause has been well received by Republicans and Democrats and says he's received letters of support from labour organizations such as the Teamster's Union and American Trucker's Association.
He estimates it will still be two to three months before Yukoners hear back from American legislators.